A 19 Year Old Revelation
I've been a parent of a child with Special Needs for almost 19 years, and I just had a revelation. I recently realized that even though I thought I had it "all together", I really don't. I have some scars that are almost 19 years old and I'm just now learning how they impact my life and my mental health.
This revelation was uncovered recently during a conversation with my therapist. I started seeing a therapist because of some external adversity that I've had to deal with for the last couple of years. This external challenge was amplifying my anxiety and panic disorder, and my husband and I thought that therapy would be helpful. This past session we started really diving into things that cause me anxiety. She had me think about the times I feel anxious and what causes my panic attacks. While panic is often stirred by an immediate crisis, my anxiety can rise at anytime. It’s something I can not run from most days. (Note: Anxiety and panic disorder could be a whole separate blog post. I'm not addressing that here, but you should know that this is more common than you may believe, and professional help can make a difference.)
My therapist has spent time getting to know me and what parts of my life have been difficult. In my last session, I began telling her about Ben. I told her about his birth and the way I felt the months afterward, how I responded to his diagnosis and how I respond to him now. As I talked I could feel my anxiety rise. I began to have heart palpitations, stomach ache, dizziness, shakiness, tears and shortness of breath.
After she helped me calm down and relax, she made a pretty stunning observation. She said "I believe Benjamin is the cause of your permanent anxiety. You have PTSD and I think you are still dealing with the grief this has caused in your life.”
I was shocked. I am thankful for him and I clearly recognize how he has blessed my life and others. I feel equipped to help other special needs parents deal with a new diagnosis. I even write about all the ways that Ben has expanded my life. But, my therapist thinks that I have unresolved issues? How could this be?
In January of 2002 the diagnosis for Ben was determined about a week after he was born. As I look back I see how my anxiety grew to an entirely new level: I could not sleep, I could not stop crying, and I could not stop Googling. I had to find answers to how to help. I remember every day living with a tightness in my chest, not wanting to see friends or even get out of bed. Always exhausted, completely lost, and totally overwhelmed. There was lots and lots of crying. I had anger at God. I had at anger at Ben. It felt as if the world was closing in around me. There were times I felt as if I couldn’t breathe, and thinking straight seemed impossible.
As the months past, I began to understand more about Down Syndrome. I began to meet people who had children with Down Syndrome older than Ben and I thought I was gaining some solid ground against my anxiety. Ben was making progress in therapy, and was incredibly healthy for a child with Down Syndrome, but with that came the overwhelming realization that we are in this for the long haul. His disability is a long term diagnosis.
Now as I sat in the therapy it began to make sense. I have a special needs son. A son who makes me question my parenting, one who will need help to live alone, a son who will never truly leave the nest. He has trouble articulating his feelings at times. He needs help with some daily living tasks. I find myself thinking of ways to help him become more independent but immediately feel like a failure when I am not consistent. I constantly clench my teeth, at times my chest feels as if an elephant were standing on it, and my heart hurts at times for my son who I know has a long life battling odds. I feel like I live in a constant state of “waiting for the other shoe to drop” and can at times feel the emotional spiral.
I know many special needs parents struggle with anxiety. Learning that my anxiety is essentially post-traumatic stress disorder is helpful. I know that it’s relentless and traumatic in nature. But, I know where it comes from now. This awareness will also help me manage my anxiety. I know that I can "fix” some things for him, but I can't address it all.
Being a parent of an individual with special needs feels like you have to give the absolute best of yourself every single day. We want to do the best for our children and be "on top of our game". But, we also have to recognize where we need support. I have a great therapist now. I have also joined Facebook groups to find parents who “walk my walk”. I can find answers in these circles with comfort and no judgement. I have a “tribe” of friends who love me and are there for me when days are tough. I have a church who loves me and more importantly love and include Ben. I am praying over time I‘ll get closer to “fixing” my anxiety the best way I know how.
As parents, we tend to give our all to our children. However, if anxiety is standing in the way of the best version of you, it is imperative for you to remember to take care of yourself and to develop coping strategies. You are important. Your anxiety is real. Everyone needs some help at times. Make sure to ask for help and be willing to accept it.
Written by Leigh Ann Kaman
