I have a close friend who is really doing it hard at the moment.
She has depression and anxiety, undiagnosed, but it is obvious. I have urged her to seek help, on numerous occasions, but her partner is not supportive. She sometimes struggles to leave the house, or even let people into the house.
She is an amazing mother and gives up everything for her kids, but I think it is taking its toll.
She won't accept offers of help with the kids, or cleaning or anything really, and I want to do something to help, but what?
Breaks my heart to see such a wonderful, caring woman be slowly destroyed by her depression.
Friend in crisis
Friend in crisis
Posted in:
Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression
4 Replies
Stay healthy and strong and keep doing what your doing. Let her know your there and then wait. It's incredibly hard to watch but until she wants help there is nothing you can do.
Your friend sounds like me, and when I've got to that point, I'm running on shame.
I don't want anyone to see me, or what's happened to my house, people coming in can be devastating to my self esteem
And if someone asks "what can I do?" I go blank and have no idea what to ask for or if I'm worthy of accepting help
What I would LOVE to (and never seem to get) is for someone to take the kids for awhile so I can get my head together a bit, saying that though, it would be easier to say Yes if I was asked "I'm doing xyz this week, can I take the kids with me?" Rather than "do you want me to take the kids sometime?"
Don't give up on her
sounds a lot like me. Maybe invite her around for dinner or tell her that ur organising a day out and that you want her to come along. I rarely get time out without my children but when I do get that rare time without them I always come back feeling refreshed and a little happier. Keep letting her know that you are there for her. Don't give up on her :)
I love this question!
I have been here, however be too quick to jump on the depression bandwagon. It took my 5 years to understand I needed help and that was due to a breakdown to my child health nurse. Admitting your faults to someone close is the hardest thing ever, it's a little easier when its doen one your removed from.
Mine turned out to be PTSD with anxiety and borderline agoraphobia.
It's wonderful you are trying to help, but step carefully as when your in this situation shutting everyone out that tries to get close to you or that you open up to is an easy thing for us to do.
Just keep going slowly is the only thing I can suggest.