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have run out of ideas

ucancallmebettyContributor22 Feb 2020, 1:09 pm AEDT

have run out of ideas

Hi. Just wondering if anyone has some idea where I could take my 20 year old daughter to meet people around her own age in small groups. My daughter has severe anxiety disorder and many other problems. She has been very isolated and confined to the home for about 5 years now. Basically her only contact with the outside world is when I drive her around in the car each day. We do challenges when things are good like stepping out of the car and walking a few steps and some days are better than others.We do get out to a few regular places when it is not too crowded but she has no interaction with anyone other than myself and brother. Have tried many things over the years but not many people understand her situation and when she is unable to talk or look up from the ground interaction becomes very uncomfortable for others. I work all week but their doent seem to be anything on weekends or afternoons for me to take her to. Public transport for her on her own is out of question. She is very smart but was unable to complete school due to anxiety. She is terrified of Doctors due to past experience so can not get her to any. I know she is very brave and wants things to change but I cant find anyone that does small group interactions. I think if she was involved in something that is just about having fun and not talking about her anxiety it would really make a difference. Is there anything on the central coast that anyone knows about that fits my daughters situation?

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In response to: have run out of ideas

jaybird20Casual Contributor03 June 2020, 1:41 am AEST

Re: have run out of ideas

hi i have same issue or similar, 20 year old daughter fallen out of everything, Severe anxiety, hospitalalised fir many months last year struggling for 5 years, medications don't do much.Online gaming one thing she cld try, Seems to be a non threatening way to engage, like you i've been trying to find something, seems like a gap in services/groups, thought about an online book club for young women if there was such a thing?

In response to: have run out of ideas

OnlyLoveContributor05 June 2020, 8:54 am AEST

Re: have run out of ideas

Hi @ucancallmebetty I have some ideas for you 😀

The Rythym Hut operates regular classes and events like African drumming, sober dance parties etc but that might be too much on the senses.

Bamboo Buddha cafe offers yoga, sound baths in a much, much smaller, more tranquil setting. The staff and food is awesome.

Gosford Art Gallery might be an idea because talking/noise is discouraged. I think there's a garden there too. They might still do art workshops as well. Actually Ken Duncan gallery too might be an idea.

Beach and bush walks and take a camera. Bouddi NP is BEAUTIFUL. There's Somersby falls too.

Conservation gardening group.

Oh! For a time my mum was volunteering to walk shelter dogs. Bit of animal healing there 😉

Another friend participates in a rock scavenger hunt (I don't know how else to describe it!) People paint rocks with positive msgs and pics and hide them around the coast and leave clues so people can find them.

I'll try and think of more...

In response to: have run out of ideas

ucancallmebettyContributor06 June 2020, 8:49 am AEST

Re: have run out of ideas

Hi Thanks for your suggestion. My son has going to board games meetup for a year now and enjoys it very much. However it is still beyond my daughters level of interaction with people. Thanks . I hope your son enjoys the group

In response to: Re: have run out of ideas

ucancallmebettyContributor06 June 2020, 8:55 am AEST

Re: have run out of ideas

wow. That does sound familiar. She tried online games but doesn't interest her and still involves no face to face interaction. I agree- medications don't work only makes her sedated. Yes services and groups for young women seemed to be lacking in our area too

In response to: Re: have run out of ideas

ucancallmebettyContributor06 June 2020, 9:02 am AEST

Re: have run out of ideas

Wow. Thanks. That is quite a list. Some I haven't heard of before- especially scavenger hunt for rocks. I did try drumming with her at WOy WOy which was a much smaller group but she didn't cope with that either. I have taken her to the other places but no interactions with women her own age were possible. I got her a therapy dog but she is too scared to walk outside with it in case she meets another person. I thinks she needs an organised activity in a very small group with young people in their twenties. If you you know of anything please let me know. Thanks for responding

In response to: have run out of ideas

ShiningStarSenior Contributor25 June 2020, 4:26 pm AEST

Re: have run out of ideas

Hi @ucancallmebetty😊

Thank you for sharing some of your daughter’s story. I was really touched by how determined she sounds to achieve the things in her life that are important to her.

I just wondered if you’re familiar with a service called Headspace? They’re a youth friendly service who provide counselling and other types of support for young people aged 12 to 25. They also offer youth programs (however COVID-19 may impact this at the moment). I’m not too sure whereabouts in Australia you are, but if you visited their website: headspace.org.au you could search to see if there was a service located near you. Given how they provide services for young people who have a lived experience of mental health issues, they may be able to provide your daughter with the necessary support and understanding that she needs to participate in social opportunities. Or they may be able to recommend some other opportunities that are of interest to her.

Also, just as a final thought, I wondered if you have thought about approaching a local TAFE? Sometimes students completing studies in the areas of community services / disability support, are looking to gain some practical experience. There may be someone who is keen to volunteer their time and who can provide some social support that meets your daughter’s needs.

Thinking of you and your daughter at this time and sending you both gentle hugs.

ShiningStar 😊

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