Some schools have kids who are already in after school YMCA programs, and so the YMCA chaperons sometimes attend my class.

These people are really young, like high school age, and spend the entire class talking, gossiping, and joking with each other and playing on their phones. Last week a group of students came in, and when they were misbehaving the YMCA kids did nothing to help and instead were egging on the kids! Most of these daycare type positions seem to pay next to nothing, so I think pretty much anyone will be hired.
That being said, there are also some high school age YMCA people and other after school teachers who appear young and inexperienced, but are really great with handling kids.

It also depends on the parents-in low income areas, the parents are just grateful to have a place for their kids to be while they’re at work. In the private schools, the parents bitch and complain about everything you do, including things beyond your control.

Obviously, I’m not a specialist, but in trying to deal with her issues it is helpful to know more about these disorders. Really, any information is helpful. If she does start theraphy I am going to ask about ADHD, just to make sure the doctor doesn’t miss this because the symptoms are similar to the anxiety disorder she has. She’s not aware of most of the symptoms, so that also probably makes it harder for her to be diagnosed properly.

Here’s my (long) story:
I’ve been battling depression/suicidal thoughts for years-the earliest I remember was around 11 or 12 years old. I’ve been on numerous antidepressants, seen many, many doctors, therapists, hospitals stays, etc. When I was finally diagnosed as bipolar (around age 15), I took the medication (valproic acid aka depakote) for about a year. I even had to take capsules and dump the contents into my food or drinks because I was unable to swallow pills for months due to past suicide attempts. And then I got into that mindset that I’m ok, and stop taking medicine, seeing doctors, etc. And this little cycle happened every few years-see a dr, take some pills, feel better and stop treatment.

Finally about a year ago I just broke down and couldn’t go on like that. I was missing work because I couldn’t get out of bed. I had to go to a hospital ER. Since then, I’ve been sticking to my medicine, seeing a therapist, and seeing a psychiatrist to monitor the medication. There have been a few times where I slip up and decide not to go to an appointment because I’m too depressed (good reason, I know), but even then my therapist will call to check on me.

Additionally, I didn’t even start dealing with being sexually abused at age 9 until last year. I’d spent so many years burying it and never told my other doctors and kept it a secret from everyone but my boyfriend. Now I’m at the point where I can actually discuss it relatively openly. Just today I was able to actually say the words, “I was sexually abused” and it was the first time I can even remember actually saying that out loud in one sentence.

Now I’m on a combo of Lamictal and Prozac. The prozac makes me super tired sometimes, though. I had it increased and I couldn’t even get out of bed all day, so I take a small dosage.

I know this was long and boring, but I felt like I really had to weigh in. I read your blog all the time and never comment, but this was meaningful for me to read about. Even now I’m still not open about my depression. I would sometimes post about it on twitter, then go back and delete those “downer” entries. I was at a friend’s house the other night and two people were talking about a friend who had bipolar, and one said, “yeah, she seemed weird to me, so that makes sense.” There is definitely a stigma associated with any kind of mental disorder, so thank you for sharing your experiences, and thanks for letting me share my own story. I’ve never been this open about it, so thanks for the opportunity.

MegsKathy

I was diagnosed as manic depressive over 15 years ago, yet am a fully responsible single parent to a teenager. Out of the 13 years of his life I spent 8 of them on a methadone program for pain management. Neither my depression or the fact I was ‘on drugs’ for so long ever hampered my ability to care for my child.

Brit isn’t mixing partying with childcare, and as for her not wanting children of her own pfftt! Just because you don’t want your own child doesn’t mean you can’t love and care for children of others.

It’s good you sought help. I hope you find a solution soon. That place is no place you wanna be. Ever.