Depression Supporters Support Group
This community is dedicated to spouses, children, relatives, co-workers and others who are actively supporting someone suffering from depression or other serious mental illness. Depression can bring about intense sadness, melancholia or despair that has advanced to the point of being disruptive, which can have a grave impact on the ability of others trying to help.
Hi~ I have a 19 year old daughter who has been going through depression and anxiety for years. She's been hospitalized close to 10 times now.. She has been on many medications over the years. She has been suicidal most of the time but never really tried. She's come close though. She as no friends, no job, and doesn't go to school. She's tried to go to jc, but her anxiety was too bad. I feel like she's at the end of her rope and I don't know what to say to her. Everything I say is either "making it about me" or not caring if I stay calm.
I'm a single mom and dad is no longer in the picture by my daughter's choice. Support groups in my area are too far away. I work 2 jobs, and even that is difficult when my daughter is not well. I just want to help her. She is in a wonderful program for transition age youth that involves her therapist coming to her, when she's up to it. Her therapist also takes her to see the psych nurse to monitor medication.
I just want advice on how to talk to her so I don't trigger her. For a long time it was me who knew how to talk to her best and now it's more her older sister, who is amazing with her.
Any advice is greatly appreciated....anything.
Thank you in advance.
I'm a single mom and dad is no longer in the picture by my daughter's choice. Support groups in my area are too far away. I work 2 jobs, and even that is difficult when my daughter is not well. I just want to help her. She is in a wonderful program for transition age youth that involves her therapist coming to her, when she's up to it. Her therapist also takes her to see the psych nurse to monitor medication.
I just want advice on how to talk to her so I don't trigger her. For a long time it was me who knew how to talk to her best and now it's more her older sister, who is amazing with her.
Any advice is greatly appreciated....anything.
Thank you in advance.
A lot of the time, when my wife is at her lowest, she isn't looking for me to say anything at all. She is looking for me to listen when she's finally ready to talk and she wants me to quietly support her until that time comes.
Since she's your daughter and you have a maternal instinct that makes you want to rush in and save her from any pain, as hard as it may be, it sounds like your daughter isn't interested in what you has to say. You could be the best mom in the world, but that won't change the fact that she still sees you as her mom while her sister is more of a peer. It isn't fair, but that's the way it often is. But that doesn't mean she doesn't want you to show up and sit with her, distract her with TV (my wife's favorite) and then when she is ready to talk, you're there to listen and, if specifically asked, offer advice.
Hang in there.
Be patient with her and please try to get a good support system for you!
Big Hug