Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
Hi All,
I'm new to this site, and new to support sites in general. I have been struggling with depression for a long time, and haven't really talked about it with anyone before. Used to think I was crazy and talking to a professional meant having a certain stigma attached to it. I'm just here to gain new perspectives and find people who are going through similar circumstances.
Currently, I think my depression is linked partially between my lifestyle and family circumstances. I'm underemployed working part time at a grocery store, back in college for the 3rd time, and taking care of elderly parents. My father recently suffered a stroke and lost the ability to walk. My mother is in the early stages of dementia, and has terrible arthritis. I still live at home, caring for them and struggling to make ends meet. I am doing this alone, as my brothers and sister refuse to help out in any way. It's a lot to deal with, and I can't even afford to date or go out places. My life is spent at work or in service and any money made is used for house bills. I'm currently 60k in student loan debt, and with this job market being what it is, future prospects are discouraging.
I know that I'm not alone in this financial situation, nor am I alone in my depressed mindset, but I feel more and more certain that my life will end when my parents no longer require my aid. I have no self ambition at all. Nor do I hold any real hope for the future, or of finding a living wage job, or of having a normal life. I feel like this is it, and when it ends, when my parent's pass on, I won't know what to do anymore. Intellectually, I know that I have options, and all I need to do is follow through to the end of this educational path. I know that (hopefully) attaining my Bachelor's will lead to a living wage job, but in this depressed mindset, I might as well be trying to open a restaurant on Mars. I'm a strong person, but I feel like I could break at any time.
I'm new to this site, and new to support sites in general. I have been struggling with depression for a long time, and haven't really talked about it with anyone before. Used to think I was crazy and talking to a professional meant having a certain stigma attached to it. I'm just here to gain new perspectives and find people who are going through similar circumstances.
Currently, I think my depression is linked partially between my lifestyle and family circumstances. I'm underemployed working part time at a grocery store, back in college for the 3rd time, and taking care of elderly parents. My father recently suffered a stroke and lost the ability to walk. My mother is in the early stages of dementia, and has terrible arthritis. I still live at home, caring for them and struggling to make ends meet. I am doing this alone, as my brothers and sister refuse to help out in any way. It's a lot to deal with, and I can't even afford to date or go out places. My life is spent at work or in service and any money made is used for house bills. I'm currently 60k in student loan debt, and with this job market being what it is, future prospects are discouraging.
I know that I'm not alone in this financial situation, nor am I alone in my depressed mindset, but I feel more and more certain that my life will end when my parents no longer require my aid. I have no self ambition at all. Nor do I hold any real hope for the future, or of finding a living wage job, or of having a normal life. I feel like this is it, and when it ends, when my parent's pass on, I won't know what to do anymore. Intellectually, I know that I have options, and all I need to do is follow through to the end of this educational path. I know that (hopefully) attaining my Bachelor's will lead to a living wage job, but in this depressed mindset, I might as well be trying to open a restaurant on Mars. I'm a strong person, but I feel like I could break at any time.
I looked through the Caring for Aging Parents thread, and it started getting me depressed, which consequently lead me here. Many people posting in the thread are going through advanced stages of what I'm currently going through. I find it difficult to relate, as I haven't even gotten to the point in my life where I can financially move out of my house. And right now, that's not even a remote possibility. I think it's easier to talk about the depression side than it is to talk about the life / financial situation side.
I'm working up to being comfortable talking about my family situation on the other board. It stretches beyond elderly parents and into my siblings. I have an extremely abusive brother who's 45 and still living at home, he's a hoarder, on steroids, and is more or less a human volcano. Granted he could be solved by a phone call to the police, but he's in the same situation I'm in. We're both broke, both living at home, both would be homeless if it weren't for the family house. The only difference is I've sought help for my disorders and he's still in denial of his. Nothing's ever cut and dry. One minute, I can't stand him and the next, I feel sorry for him. Needless to say, I come from a highly dysfunctional family. But it's normal to me, since this is the only family unit I've had living experience with.