He's depressed how can I help if I am too

My mom moved out. We thought my dad would be mad, but he is super depressed. How can I be there for him if I suffer from depression?

This is all making mine worse. I don't know how to help him when I can't help myself. My meds really are not working... That I can tell.. I try to talk to my therapist, but it's difficult for me to open up to her. I'm really just holding everything in at this point and don't even have a chance to cry it out.

I will write more later. Any comments welcomed

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TRIED: Lyrica (15 months-quit Feb. 09), Paxil (10 months-quit 6-4-09), Cymbalta 6-6-09, Rozerem, Melatonin, Prozac (july 09-feb 10)
Currently taking: Trazodone 50mg, Focalin XR 5mg, Klonopin 1mg, Wellburtin XL 150mg, Lexapro 20mg, Abilify 5mg, Zantac 150mg, Prilosec 20mg  

Hi Christi,

You have to encourage him to get some help. You know that only we can do that for ourselves. There is no other way. Write a list of what you need to discuss with your counselor. You are beginning to run on overload, too much on your plate. You need some assistance. It is going to be too hard for you to try to take care of all this by yourself. You are spreading yourself too thin. So see your counselor and figure out your priorities, and work on what is most important to you. I know that it all is, but you are going to have to choose and hope that the rest works out on it's own. Take care sweetie.

Hugs, Karen

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  Moderator-Depression and fibromyalgia

i kinda know how you feel christi. i'm very depressed right now. but my meds.seem to be helping. and my 32 year old son is depressed real bad. i don't know what to do for him. he lives in the house with me. all i can say is we have to take it 1 day at a time. and hope for the best. i try to pray myself. good luck.

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tiny

Thanks..I don't feel stretched too far, except emotionally. Otherwise I take care of school and the baby and everything else... But I know I am... Thanks for the advice.

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TRIED: Lyrica (15 months-quit Feb. 09), Paxil (10 months-quit 6-4-09), Cymbalta 6-6-09, Rozerem, Melatonin, Prozac (july 09-feb 10)
Currently taking: Trazodone 50mg, Focalin XR 5mg, Klonopin 1mg, Wellburtin XL 150mg, Lexapro 20mg, Abilify 5mg, Zantac 150mg, Prilosec 20mg  

Christi,

You have school, with exams coming up in a month or so. You have your friend and the baby. The fact that you are living there when you were use to living at home. You have your volunteer work and now your dad being depressed, I feel that is stretched emotionally big time. That is a lot to deal with. Just school alone is a lot. You have homework too. I don't know how you do it. You are actually doing quite well for all the stuff that you have going on.

Is your dad financially able to keep the home? How is he doing physically? I think that you realize that he is going to have to take the initiative to get help. But you could hint around about seeing a doctor for a check up or something. I really don't know what else you can do. Talking to him about it might help if you think he will talk about it to you. Let him know that you care about how he feels.

I hope that you can work this out Christi. I know that you truly care a lot about your dad and it hurts you to see him down.

Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen

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  Moderator-Depression and fibromyalgia

christi, am sending my healing compassionate prayers your way. you are strong, i draw strength by your strength. jamie.

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YESTERDAY IS A BUTTERLY WITHOUT WINGS. (ME)

Depression affects all aspects of a person's life. It impairs our ability to sleep, eat, work, and get along with others. daily workouts and positive thinking reduce your stress.

Post Edited By Moderator (getting by) : 4/23/2010 8:42:50 AM (GMT-6)