Mental Health

One thing that I haven't mentioned on here is Olivia's mental health.  I don't want to go into too much detail, but for the past 4 years she has struggled with depression, anxiety and OCD like tendencies.  It has not been an easy journey.  She has had probably 5 therapists, 3 psychiatrists, and tried about every antidpressant and psych med there is.  Nothing helped.  They kept increasing her meds which caused other side effects, but no improvement in symptoms.  It was so difficult for our family.  I told Olivia of course that I would never give up until she felt better and I was determined to do whatever I could.  Finally, I took her to a functional medicine doctor.  Multiple times I had asked her regular doctor if there was a physical/medical reason for her depression and anxiety, but was told it was fine.  Well, her functional medicine doctor found that her ferritin was low, her vitamin D was low, her B12 was low, her serotonin was at a 10 and they like that number in the 100s.  Needless to say, she was started on about 9 supplements and she has been so consistent with taking them every day.  She got off all psych meds.  I'm not against psych meds because when you are in that situation, you will do whatever it takes to make sure your child feels better.  But, they weren't helping her.  Within about a month, we noticed a difference in Olivia.  She was smiling and laughing again.  I felt like I got my daughter back.  It has been a night and day difference.  Does she still struggle with depression and anxiety?  Yes, but she's not hopeless or suicidal anymore.  She is better able to handle these emotions when they come up.  Praying for her complete healing.  Her dr thinks that she was deficient in so many things because of her gastroparesis.  It has been rearing it's ugly head lately and not allowing Olivia to get the nutrients she needs.  She has had frequent stomach aches and has lost 8 lbs over the summer.  She did not have 8 lbs to lose.  We are taking her to a new adult gastroenterologist since she is now 18.  She meets with her next month.  Hoping there are additional treatments that we may not know about that can help her grow and thrive.  I believe your mental health is tied quite a bit to your gut.  When it's not healthy, not much else is.  So, please keep Olivia in your prayers.  Motherhood never really gets easier. . .it just changes.