family
Family can be our support system. Or they can be part of the problem. All about the complicated, loving, and difficult relationship with us and the ones who love us.
Parenting and Depression
I've had anxiety and depression since I was 11-years-old. I grew up seeing therapist after therapist, and tried many different medications to help, "make me feel better." When I became an adult, I decided that I really wanted to try and get better. I continued therapy, medications, surrounded myself with loved ones, and tried my best everyday to get up and be positive. Then, I found out I was pregnant. I was in a brand new relationship, I had just started feeling better, and now I had to worry about how I was going to be a parent. When I went to my first ultrasound appointment, they informed me that the medications I was taking for my depression and anxiety, were not suitable for pregnancy. I was told that I needed to stop taking it, and I needed to find something else to take that was safer. Come to find out, all the "safe" medications I had already tried without success. So there I was, pregnant, confused, and without medication. I continued therapy and did my absolute best to make sure that I prepared myself, the best that I could have, to be a parent. My pregnancy seemed to fly by, surprisingly. Before I knew it, I had my baby boy in my arms, and he was perfect. I was so happy!! But soon after, that happiness became stress, sadness, and worry. I was slipping back into my depression, and being sleep deprived did not help with that. I felt like my world was crashing down, and although I was happy my baby was healthy and thriving, I felt like I wasn't good enough. After a while, my therapist and doctor thought I could have Post Partum Depression. This is a type of depression that woman can get after pregnancy, whether you had depression prior to pregnancy or not. I went through therapy, started medications again, and I started to feel better. Now, my son is 4-years-old. He's incredibly smart, funny, and a good kid. I am a lot better now, but I still struggle. Some days are better than others, and sometimes I just really want to sleep all day and do nothing. But I remind myself that I am stronger than I think. I look at my son's pictures, his artwork hung on the wall, and think about his little laugh. Being a parent isn't easy, but being a parent with depression makes it a lot harder. You have to remind yourself on a daily basis that your child needs you. Knowing that means you also need to take very good care of YOU. You are a mom, you are your child's Superwoman, and they look up to you. If you feel you are depressed, think of the reasons that make you want to get up in the morning, to have fun with your child. I found many things that help me with my depression, and so now, I am going to share those things with you.
By Virginia Shefcyk8 years ago in Psyche
To Mom
I love you. I know I never tell you that enough but I do. I love you with all of my being. You're the one that carried me inside of you for 9 months. You kept me safe, warm, and loved. You sacrificed your dreams for mine. I wasn't planned and you had to do it alone but you went ahead and brought me into your life anyway and for that I thank you.
By Melinda Lane8 years ago in Psyche
My Experience With Music and Anxiety/Depression
I am not an avid writer. However, I am a musician in a band called Cape Cub and also a mental health sufferer. Firstly, I have suffered for a long time with anxiety and depression, and as context for this story, my father had daily struggles with these illnesses also.
By jack jones8 years ago in Psyche
Focus on Your Kids
As our generation begins to mature and sprout, we may notice that while some thrive and socialize — others will sit back and almost disappear. As a person who suffers with depression, I can tell you that even though most people believe they know what it is, you probably don't know the details of it. In-depth depression is more then a serious sadness and it has consumed 20 percent of teens before they reach adulthood.
By Kiarra Dries8 years ago in Psyche
We Moved!
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do? I've gotten myself though abuse, addictions, and suicidal thoughts; now, I'm getting myself through a move. A month ago, I moved to a new town to start over. A fresh start was something my son and I needed. Like anything, changes has its ups and downs. The only person I know here is my boyfriend, and I am so grateful to be able to live with him and have a new family life, but the change has been hard. My depression has gotten considerably worse.
By Dagny Desiree8 years ago in Psyche
My Dad Is Mentally Ill
Today while watching an episode of ER, a sub-story triggered a long held memory. A six-year-old boy had just found out his mother was a paranoid schizophrenic, and although just a show, I felt his sadness to my core...because I, too, have lived this life.
By Crystal Damato-Pineda8 years ago in Psyche
Not Just Luck
Beginning my life wasn’t always easy. I was a baby, but everything seemed to difficult. As I began to grow up I would get bullied at school, at church, in the grocery stores, in my own house, my mother never really knew how I felt, my father was always working, and my older siblings could care less how I felt. I had a younger brother but... he was like 3 years old, he didn’t understand what was happening.
By Leslie Garcia8 years ago in Psyche
Unwanted
Dear Loved Ones, Have you ever felt like a ghost... a ghost who is trying to reach out to people, but no matter what she does, they will never see or hear her cries for help. Well if you have felt that way, so have I, and it hurts. It hurts that no matter what you do or say, nobody will see or understand you. All my life I've been invisible, at home, at school, in public, everywhere I went I was the girl nobody even noticed. Even in my own family people didn't even know my mother had a second daughter. I go to work and I feel like nobody wants me around but how do I tell my loved ones my true feelings, how do I tell my loved ones that I need their love right now more then ever?
By Shelby Spencer8 years ago in Psyche
