What do you do about a depressed aunt?!
Question: Both her kids are grown and she lost everything she worked for (which was an accomplishment because of her adult ADD): Her house, her dog grooming jobs, and almost everything she owns. We believe that her best friend brainwashed her into believing she was sick because she is the type that isn't living her life unless she's controlling someone elses. I wrote my aunt a long email telling her what I thought and I hope she would get the help she needed. Was that too harsh? I can send you a copy of the letter if you think you can help. I don't know what to do anymore. Thanks,
Answers: Both her kids are grown and she lost everything she worked for (which was an accomplishment because of her adult ADD): Her house, her dog grooming jobs, and almost everything she owns. We believe that her best friend brainwashed her into believing she was sick because she is the type that isn't living her life unless she's controlling someone elses. I wrote my aunt a long email telling her what I thought and I hope she would get the help she needed. Was that too harsh? I can send you a copy of the letter if you think you can help. I don't know what to do anymore. Thanks,
Nat,
I applaud you for caring and taking time and effort to reach out. Depression is very fixable for many there are so many new meds that work different than the older ones did. There a many very accomplished therapists to work along with a Shrink to help by letting her talk things out as well as just take pills. There are also groups, 12 step programs and disscussions groups online or in most cities.
More details would help, email if you would like.
My standard post follows: See depression treatments, at ezy-build *(below) in section 2, and consult a doctor, to eliminate thyroid problems, etc. as possible contributing factors: also seek a referral to a therapist using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy. It is your decision, and yours alone, as to whether to take any antidepressants offered, but, before you do, read section 1, and check medications out at www.drugs.com so you will be on the lookout for side effects, like sexual dysfunction. My strong recommendation, however, is to follow the advice of my doctor, his associate, and also Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP, and Dr. Mercola, as well, at http://www.mercola.com and avoid antidepressants (pages 2V, and 2Z refer, & antidepressant websites: page 2). The reasons why we all share the same view on this are explained in full, as you will find, if you read the whole section. All of their advice, (except prayer, because many people are not religious) I have incorporated into the "core treatments", including others as options, such as herbal remedies, Inositol, or SAMe. If you are diagnosed with clinical (major) depression, antidepressants may be necessary for a while, which will give the treatments time to become effective. The antidepressants themselves need at least several days, or even many weeks to become effective. It's a good idea to taper off them slowly, with medical advice, after several months, say, to a couple of years, at most, because they are only effective in the long term for about 30% of people. Because of this, you would be well advised to begin the treatments immediately, and maintain them. I'd just thank your mental health care provider, and pocket the prescription, trying the treatments for a few months, to see if they are sufficient for you, before considering filling it (unless clinically depressed, and having great difficulty functioning, or suicidal, in which case I'd take them). If the amount of daylight you have been exposed to recently has reduced, perhaps due to the change of seasons, see Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) in section 2, at * http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and, instead of taking 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily; replace 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements for the winter months only! (or, as probably a better alternative to the 2 cod liver oil supplements: 1 teaspoonful of cod liver oil, with a little butter, to ensure its use; I take mine on sourdough rye bread, or toast, covered with fishpaste, and pepper, to mask the strong taste). Consider having your doctor test your vitamin D levels. ADD is addressed in sections 22 - 25. Print relevant parts, or refer her.
Pray for her.