Dear AB
Hello and welcome. Thank you for sharing your story. I am so sorry your mom is feeling so unwell and needed to go into hospital. I have no personal experience of this, but like most people here I do know depression and anxiety.
Moving house was a huge shock to your mom's system which no one anticipated. Thirty years is a long time to live in one place and I imagine all her networks and friends, all the shops and other places she went to were all so familiar and felt comfortable. Suddenly they are not there.
Younger people are more resilient and cope with major upheavals in their lives. Your mom probably did so with little distress in the past. Sadly as we age, these upheavals take longer for us to get accustomed to. I know I find change a bit daunting and prefer to stay where I am comfortable.
Please take heart about your mom. Because she is in hospital I presume this problem is quite severe and she needs specialized nursing. She will be well cared for and the medication will start to kick in soon. Unfortunately it can take up to six weeks to be fully effective. You describe your mom as a bit of a worrier and this has escalated into her present condition. I can't tell you what her prognosis is. You must ask the attending doctor.
You tell us your mom is in general good health and this will be an enormous help. Being active and used to 'doing things' will be useful for when she can get around more. It will feel familiar to her to walk so perhaps she can stroll around the hospital grounds later on. Fresh air and exercise often sound like a cliché. This is not so. These are two of the most powerful antidotes to anxiety and depression and will help your mom a great deal.
I understand your dismay that mom has become so unwell, especially when she has been so active. Please look after your health. Stress and worry can affect everyone so get your proper rest and eat well. Mundane things I know but they do work. Can you take something into hospital for her to do? Something that is familiar and which she can manage. Check with doctor first about what you bring. The more familiar things she has around her, the more comfortable she will be.
Visit as often as possible, though I don't really need to tell you that. Talk about times when she was particularly happy. Are there any grandchildren? I think mom would like to see them but again, check with the doctor as hospitals can be a bit scary for very little ones.
I wish you well.
Mary
