In this heart-wrenching yet inspiring episode of "Navigating Mental Illness: Parents Stories," Bill sits down with Celeste, a mother from Bill's home state of New Jersey, who shares her journey navigating the complexities of her daughter's multiple mental health conditions, including OCD, severe anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD.

Celeste opens up about her daughter's early childhood, the struggles they faced following a severe family incident, and the subsequent years of seeking proper treatment and care. From the initial diagnosis to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and a significant mental breakdown following a family tragedy, Celeste provides invaluable insights into managing a child's mental illness.

She discusses the therapeutic approaches they've tried, the challenges of balancing her daughter's needs with her own, and the importance of self-care and having a support system. With moments of triumph like her daughter getting her driver's license and experiencing healing environments, Celeste's story is a testament to resilience and the enduring hope for a better future.

#### Keywords:

- mental illness in children

- OCD in adolescents

- parenting with a mentally ill child

- obsessive-compulsive disorder

- navigating mental illness

- severe anxiety in children

- PTSD and parenting

- ADHD in adolescents

- mental health treatment programs

- therapy for OCD

- COVID-19 mental health impact

- parenting podcast

- mental health journey

- supporting a child with mental illness

- parental coping strategies

- family mental health challenges

Arlene Pellicane

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