A few days ago I published the essay by Jon Armstrong, Mr. Dooce, on what it's like living with someone who suffers from chronic depression. I did not cite the source for this article and I shouldn't have excerpted its entirety. There were reasons why I messed up, but I wanted to be sure to give credit where it's due. Jon's blog, "Blurbomat.com" can be found by clicking here, and the powerful essay on living with a depression can be found by clicking here. I apologize to Jon for my oversight.
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I have found that living with a depressed person also puts you in a depressed stage not knowing what to do or how to cope. I pray everyday that things will change,but is it fair for someone to give up theie entire life trying to deal with a person that is so hard to deal with someone that is taking away your own livelyhood.
A few years ago I was hospitalized for severe depression and during group & one on one thearpy I realized that I have had depression for most of my life about 40 years (i'm 51 now) and it manifested itself in many different ways which I am now recognizing. I am a bad place right now, I stopped taking my meds and now I am trying new ones and hoping and praying I find the right cocktail to help me through this period. This is the first time i feel the physical affects of my depressed state of mind. Another thing your article showed me is that one day I might find a partner like you who is willing and able to have a relationship with me and help me cope with my depression. I thought I had about ten years ago my husband was always able to get me out of my darkest moods with his love and help, but he did something that was unforgivable and I have not seen him for about 10 1/2 years, and when I say unforgivable I think i mean unforgetable, I did forgive him in my heart I prayed a lot and finally it hit me that I had to forgive in order to move on and I did, forget I will never and it was when I got the most help & thank God I did. He tried to seduce my daughter who was 20 at that time I forgave cause it's an illness he will have to live with the rest of his life not mine but I can't forget. I always believe things happen for a reason and this did cause I was really in a bad place with my depression and it also forced me to seek the help I needed and I am glad for that cause I learned a lot like I said in the begining knowing how long I have really been dealing with depression and ignoring it, even the past suicide attempts never gave me a clue to the depression I had at the time and was excused as me just going through a rough time and it will pass. Pass it did but it only made me manic and I am learning to cope with my manic moods and depressed moods, this one is really bad and I hope soon to be able to cope again. Thank you for your article.
hey you all! i am the mom of a grown child who mhas suffered from depression most of her life. she can be so cruel but i kno its just her pain and fear.i cried reading your posts just to know there are understanding folk out there. my husband died a while back and i feel lost sometimes.ive never posted before an im not too good on computers but it sure is nice to be reminded that compassion isnt just a distant memory. i will take advice and learn from you who share an have been there.thanks! kate
Life has a sick sense of humour sometimes. I was getting to the point of wanting to "pack it in" when I get a phone call from my Mom who is in a more desperate frame of mind then ususal. My Dad who has had two heart attacks is suffering post attack depression and is taking it out on my Mom. He is getting to the point of physically threatening her (with his cane no less). Ordinarily this might almost be comic were it not for the fact that she is at her wits end and not the most stable personality herself, somewhat bi-polar. I told her to come down to visit for a little while like she did the last time this happened. In order for that to happen my older brother would have to "babysit" as Dad cannot be trusted to take his meds or stay upright. (history of falling) My brother is having his own difficulties with AA and an ugly divorce pending. Any words of wisdom? Should I write Dr. Phil? Guess I'll have to procrastinate my own demise for now...how's that for irony?
I have had depression and anxiety for most of my life but didn't realize it until about 5 years ago. I finally admitted to myself that I needed help from someone else besides friends and family. I started seeing a therapist and went on meds which has helped to a point. I feel I will never have the life I want which is to be happy and carefree. I worry everyday and have no motivation for anything. In reading these blogs I have realized how difficult it must be on my boyfriend to deal with me and my mood swings. He always tells me I need to see the positive side of life and that I'm too negative. My brother told me the other day that I think too much and need to relax. It is so easy to say and people think you can just snap out of it. How do I live the life that I so desperately want? Will I ever feel "normal"?! Thank you for letting me be able to express myself.
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