Sometimes it's More Than an Attitude

"When my son was 15, he was a bright normal kid. Within the next 5 years, when changes are naturally occurring in teens and they are coming out of the growth and moods, my son got worse and there was even more chaos. I thought it was a normal teen attitude so I set limits and used tough love. It would work for a day but then right it would go back right back to chaos. I thought, "Maybe it's more than an attitude!" We discovered he was using pot and we worked on getting him off drugs, and yet when he was off the drugs, he just looked dull, like his soul was gone. I tried to love him better, like any mom would do." And so began the journey that our guest, Randye Kaye began with her family. Randye is the author of "Ben Behind the Voices: One Family's Journey from the Chaos of Schizophrenia to Hope." On Parent Choices for Struggling Teens, LATALKRadio.com, channel one, host Lon Woodbury sat down with Randye and listened to the intimate details she shared from her book, about the various stages a family goes through when metal illness develops and is diagnosed. "It is so hard to believe your child has a mental illness."

The stages many parents go through when their child is diagnosed with a mental illness include denial, shock (which may also include anger), guilt, resentment, and/or grief. "You will feel a loss of the child you had, and of the old dreams that you had for them," explained Randye. The next stage is relief and then advocacy in action and support. "Mental illness is scary to deal with, especially with the stigma and the blame. For those that are untreated, the end result for families can be unhappiness. Parents need support and education sooner!

When asked what she would have done differently, Randye's reply was so heartfelt and honest, "I wish I had known that this could have even been a possibility. I would have fired more therapists and hired new ones. I would have insisted on more help for my son. I wish I had learned sooner." Randye wrote this book as a memoire, a story. Throughout the book she added helpful information for those needing help with Schizophrenia. "I want others to know that there is hope," she explained, "by being a partner in the recovery."

To listen to the full interview, go to Sometimes Its More Than Attitude on LATalkRadio.
Also available in Podcast

Lon Woodbury is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports, Inc. and www.strugglingteens.com. He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984 and is the host of Parent Choices for Struggling Teens.

Randye Kaye is a national voice talent and actress, mom and author of "Ben Behind His Voices: One Family's Journey from the Chaos of Schizophrenia to Hope". Randye also speaks to professional providers and families about the process of coping with the challenges, including stigma, when mental illness strikes a loved one.

If you know somebody (including yourself) who would make a good guest on our show and might be interested, contact Lon at lonwoodbury@gmail.com or 208-267-5550

Upcoming shows:

May 5:
Robert Nielson- Pulling Back the Blinders

May 12:
Dr. Kevin Ross Emery- "Famous People with ADHD- Are You One Waiting to Happen?"

June 2:
Dr. Michelle Robin- "How the Inside Impacts the Outside"