International Women's Day

International Women’s Day 2025: State of Mind 73: Difficult Mothering of Adult Children through Mental Illness and Addiction

This episode shines a light on the often-overlooked experiences of mothers supporting adult children with serious mental health challenges or addiction. These mothers face the immense challenge of balancing unconditional love with the need to set boundaries, safeguard their own well-being, and navigate the weight of societal stigma.

 

Our guests are Judith R. Smith, psychotherapist and author of Difficult: Mothering Challenging Adult Children through Conflict and Change, who shares powerful insights from her research on women over sixty who have become ongoing caregivers. Also joining us is Cathy Pereyra, a mother and mental health education/support group leader, who shares her personal experiences of navigating the challenges of supporting an adult child with schizophrenia.

 

Together, our guests and several contributing mothers reveal the struggles and resilience required on this journey, sharing their stories and insights into what mothers need to endure and thrive despite the challenges.


Playlist

Artist Song Album Label
Rico James The Carrier Elegantes 775500 Records DK
Anita Ward Ring My Bell 70's Dance All Night Metacom Music
Music Unlimited Beautiful Boom Bap Be Free Music Unlimited
Agera Beatz Spray Spray Agera Beatz
Junkyard Empire We Want We Want (Single) MediaRoots Music
Sanaa Moussa Yalla Ynam Tarweeda Tahaleel Palestine TV - Sanna Moussa
Rooftop Revolutionaries Complicity Resolute Rooftop Revolutionaries
Junkyard Empire We Want We Want (Single) MediaRoots Music
Thomas Puggård-Müller Cherry Red After Hours Storyville Records