How does this impact the family?
Why am I so excited and passionate about advocating for depression? Because I know there is a way out! I have seen the devastating effects that depression can have on a family. Day-to-day interactions with someone who is chronically depressed can affect your relationship. It can create animosity and distance. When someone you know or love is depressed, it affects you as well. I have also witnessed how lives can change through getting help. Let me tell you a story. Meet Rachel!
This is my best friend and sister, Rachel! We are six years apart, but we think just alike. There is a bond that we share that only we can understand. She has made a big impact on my life. I care about her a lot and I’m grateful that she is letting me tell her story. Three years ago Rachel suffered from postpartum depression. It was very scary and sad to see someone you love go through such a hard time. As a sister, the hardest part was seeing how she didn’t know anymore how anyone could love her. She was married to one of the best men I know, had a brand new healthy baby boy, a loving and supportive family, and still thought that her life was worthless. I remember the day that I knew something was seriously wrong. At this point no one had thought that she could be suffering from a serious illness. She was having a really hard time and I was trying to reassure her that she was a really great mom. She disagreed and told me that she wished Jake (her 5 month old son) would’ve been born to a different mom. I was shocked and couldn’t believe that she really thought that low of herself. We both cried and I told her that I knew she needed help. She continued to tell me that since Jake was born, she always had a constant battle with herself. She was at the “happiest moment” in her life and she was fighting with herself constantly to not be upset. I told her to look at the miracle that Jake was in her life. S
he still couldn’t understand that she was a great mom and had a great life. She promised us that she would talk with her doctor at the next baby appointment. She did talk with her doctor and she was put on antidepressant medicine. I believe that it saved her life! I don’t think we should underestimate the power of medicine. She still battles with feelings of depression still, but it has been 3 years and another baby boy later and Rachel is doing great! She loves being a mom and finds joy in who she is. I know that depression can have a serious affect on families because I almost lost a sister emotionally and spiritually because of it. I know that it is a process for people to become stable again, but it is possible!
he still couldn’t understand that she was a great mom and had a great life. She promised us that she would talk with her doctor at the next baby appointment. She did talk with her doctor and she was put on antidepressant medicine. I believe that it saved her life! I don’t think we should underestimate the power of medicine. She still battles with feelings of depression still, but it has been 3 years and another baby boy later and Rachel is doing great! She loves being a mom and finds joy in who she is. I know that depression can have a serious affect on families because I almost lost a sister emotionally and spiritually because of it. I know that it is a process for people to become stable again, but it is possible!What do you do if you think you or someone you love might be depressed?
It is important to understand that depression is a treatable illness. The most important thing for friends and family to do for a depressed person is to help him or her get appropriate diagnosis and treatment. This is essential! In addition, offering emotional support such as affection, patience, encouragement and understanding is extremely important. Try not to tell people to "just be happy." It is much more complicated than that and it can actually make it worse.
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." -Leo Buscaglia
