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.

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Single parent with depression

Joy71
Joy71

IWas just wondering if anyone else on here has experience disclosing information about themselves relating to depression.


I have a daughter and we don't see her dad,she hasn't visited him in 3years she's 13.


bridgie101
bridgie101
When you say disclose, what do you mean? Do you mean at work, or among friends, or on here?

Disclosing on here is fine. At work I wouldn't do if I didn't know them well, and among friends, only those I'd known a few years. But I would say that it's surprising how many people have had depression or known someone who has it or has had it. It's not as unknown as it used to be, and people can be surprisingly kind and caring.
Joy71
Joy71
No I mean when I have assesment
invisablefriend
invisablefriend
I wouldn't . You might lose your custody. Some "helpful doctor" could cause your child to be put into the system.
sonnycamehome
sonnycamehome
I think the point of the assessment is to get the help you need, and in getting that help you not only help yourself, you also help your daughter. When you have your assessment, I think it's ok to say that you have depression, or to say that you feel down, have trouble concentrating, or any other symptoms that describe how you struggle on a day to day basis. I think you can do this without fear of your daughter being taken away....as you are not neglecting your daughter in any way. If you are still able to take care of her, than it's ok to take care of yourself and be honest, and get some help. There's a lot of support out there for single parents, and for mental health issues, and it's ok to take advantage of that help.
bridgie101
bridgie101
Can anyone tell me what 'assessment' means?

If you're talking to the doctor tell him/her everything. Everything. It's crazy not to.

Either you are a bad parent, in which case it's a good idea to take your daughter away, or else you're not a bad parent and they'll help you out. Either way is best.

But if you don't tell anyone, and you bottle it, you don't get anything fixed.

Nobody took my kids off me when I had depression. I think they would consider that ridiculous. So long as you are compliant, which is to say, genuinely trying to sort yourself out and being genuine and truthful during these meetings, then they know you're highly unlikely to be shoving your kid's head down the toilet at home.

Being straight up is always best, in my opinion.