Mom's Case on Anxiety Disorder

I am back to KL now after 5 days staying in KK just to be home to settle family matters. Mom is down with generalized anxiety disorder and has been given almost 3 weeks medication for a duration of 6 months recovery. This type of disorder is said to take that long to recover. I believe it all depends on the patient to have revelation back to normal.

Back at home, I tried to give as much encouragement, positive words and speak the truth to her as much as possible. I cooked dinner so that my mom, dad, brother , and his gf would sit together for a meal. We don't have the custom of eating together. I actually would like to see my family sit down over a meal and fellowship nicely. It is not common to see such custom happening now. I guess now it is because my brother needs 3 complete meal a day for his body to replenish blood ( after chemotherapy ) that it was necessary to cook meals for him. Naturally, all other family members come to join in the dinner. 3 dishes are always served on the table.

Mom has completely stopped cooking, gardening , doing housechores and anything that she used to love doing. She keeps lying on her bed in a dark room and some time could feel so uneasy about herself. She would think that she has sore throat, stomachache, heartburns and others when actually doctor has checked that she is completely well. That is the illusion of a person who is depressed and practically thinks cannot do anything at all and thinks she is dying soon etch..all the negative thinking.

Honestly, it is really really really sad to see mom like that especially her tantrums she throws at my dad when he gives her medicine. She thought that we are trying to poison her to death. When I look at mom's face, I have never seen her being so pale, sad , thin and she looked 'lost'. I can't feel the connection when one sees into a person's eyes. However, I always try to see her as a normal person , the person she is then focusing on her illnesses. Although at times it can be frustrating to distinguish which part of her is coming from her real self or the illness, it is always best to speak positively and gently to her. I read that this disorder manifested due to accumulated and retained fear in the brain that at final stage, became irritability, shaking etc... read more on wikipedia.

It is grieving to hear that one with this disease would take 6 months only to full recovery. I hope it doesn't take that long for month. I do not worry about my mom and brother so much because it is no use. In my heart, there is a constant prayer for them knowing that they are fighting this illness at home. I wish to be there for them all the time but it is a good reason to stay away from home's sad atmosphere so that I can always give them encouragement from far in renewed and refreshed mind.

I do not know what are the reason of all this and whether or not changes done would readjust my family. I do pray that over time, dad will have good understanding over mom's suffering and needs as well as good communication with brother. I pray that there are no strife or resentment kept in their hearts.

Now that I have poured out all the concerns in my heart... I trust the Lord fighting this battle for us. Amen.

Lesson learned: When I was at home, before mom was down with this illness, I couldn't stand mom nagging at me or ordering me to do things in the house, now if I see her talking like she used to (with the illness) I don't mind just keep quiet and listen to her. I obey whatever she said as long as I hear that voice than seeing her mute.