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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QueenOfTheLeaves 02/15/2018

Good morning everyone,

So lately I've been having a really hard time knowing exactly how to feel and how to cope with some of the things I'm going through. I recently have had almost all of my close family members and a few friends in and out of the hospital. My father was in the hospital a little over a month ago and is out now, thankfully doing a little better. Shortly after he was released my mom was hospitalized because she deals with severe bipolar disorder. She was also having some physical health problems that were making her very sick. Thankfully, most of the physical health things have resolved, but they did find out that she's been having seizures. Her mental health state, on the other hand, has not improved much. She had to be moved to a state hospital and is still not doing well at all. It is so hard for me to see her going through this. She isn't even allowed to have visitors right now until her state improves some.. On top of this, my grandpa, who I'm very close with because my mom and I lived with my grandparents for most of my life, is in the hospital now too. He unexpectedly had to get open heart surgery, a triple bypass, two days ago because they thought he was about to have a heart attack. I'm so glad that he made it through surgery successfully and is in recovery now, but it's still hard to see him like this, too. I'm also a college student, so keeping up with school can be hard enough, but adding all this in the mix, along with my own struggles with depression, anxiety, and PTSD are making it feel nearly impossible to keep up with everything sometimes. I'm so stressed recently and I can't help wondering when my family and I will ever get a break because it seems like we are just going through one extremely hard thing after another.. I want to be there to keep supporting my family too, because they are going through so much, but it has been hard to be strong for all them when I feel like I struggle to be strong for myself sometimes.
Well, anyways, to anyone reading this, thank you for listening. I really appreciate it.

fauxartist 02/15/2018

I'm sorry your having so many things happening with health and family. But you know you have to take care of yourself first, that's not being selfish, it's practical. We really can't be a lot of help to others when we are dealing with so much of our own stuff. No one will fault you for trying to get yourself better. You can do what you can to be supportive, but when your batteries run down too low, you have to pull back and recharge or you won't be able to help anyone, including yourself.

Nocturne 02/15/2018

I'm so sorry for what you're going through. I myself am someone that suffers from PTSD and Bi-Polar. As hard as it may be, I agree with the person about me that you should try to focus on yourself. From my experience, it's very hard to be supportive for others when you yourself are going through a lot. It's not selfish, sometimes you have to do what is best for you. Also, those that aren't willing to get help or accept it (not saying your family isn't) it's hard to help them. You kind of have to be willing to help yourself before you can get/help others. I mean that in the best way possible. So as the person above me said, make sure you take time to yourself to recharge your batteries. Maybe if others around you see how strong you are and the fact you can do these things, maybe it will help and inspire them?

Mae19681995 02/15/2018

I am so sorry to hear about all that you are going through. I have to agree with fauxartist, you have to take care of you so you are strong enough to help where needed. There is nothing you can do if you are weak and sick too. You have alot going on so be sure to take care of yourself. It is great that you are able to do what you have so far. Just protect you and your health. Take it one day at a time and if you have to break that day into one hour at a time. Do what you are capable of and then move onto the next hour or day.

QueenOfTheLeaves 02/19/2018

I'm sorry I am just now getting back to all of your comments, but thank you all so much for the supportive words. I appreciate the reminder to take care of myself, because I think I need that sometimes; I tend to have the bad habit of putting my own needs on the "back burner," at times. I've been trying to focus on taking care of myself lately, because, like you all mentioned, that is very important. Once again, thank you all for the encouragement and advice.

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