Looking for a little help here regarding depression. I've seen so many messages about depression and how carers cope with depression, so thanks so much to those that post their experiences. My mum, a long term carer for my dad has been very depressed for a long time and is almost going through a bereavement process. Dad has been in a care home for a year and a half. The depression hit her the moment he went in, but she was in denial for that first year, dealing with it all her own way as she always does.
Her GP diagnosed antidepressants a few months ago, but this is not really the answer as there are so many deep routed issues to deal with. Unfortunately some GPs hand out tablets too readily as it is obviously cheaper than the cost of therapy. My mother does not deserve to be so deeply unhappy in the last years of her life and although we are close and discuss dad a lot, she is becoming more and more detached from the situation and blocking more and more out. I'm worried that this is an unhealthy way of dealing with the situation. Basically, I'm out of my depth and not sure where to go from here.
Would counseling help at this stage? or am I just living in dreamland thinking this is something mum will ever be able to deal with. After all, things are not going to get any better for her. What kind of counseling help is suitable and is it really helpful. Or should we just continue to ride the storm and just give her all the love and support we can. I should also add that mum is not a ‘sit on the couch and listen to someone being touchy and feely’ type of lady. So finding the right sort of help is going to be a challenge in itself.
Sorry to post a difficult subject, but just getting nervous that this is something that needs addressing sooner than later and pills just aren’t enough.
Thanks
Her GP diagnosed antidepressants a few months ago, but this is not really the answer as there are so many deep routed issues to deal with. Unfortunately some GPs hand out tablets too readily as it is obviously cheaper than the cost of therapy. My mother does not deserve to be so deeply unhappy in the last years of her life and although we are close and discuss dad a lot, she is becoming more and more detached from the situation and blocking more and more out. I'm worried that this is an unhealthy way of dealing with the situation. Basically, I'm out of my depth and not sure where to go from here.
Would counseling help at this stage? or am I just living in dreamland thinking this is something mum will ever be able to deal with. After all, things are not going to get any better for her. What kind of counseling help is suitable and is it really helpful. Or should we just continue to ride the storm and just give her all the love and support we can. I should also add that mum is not a ‘sit on the couch and listen to someone being touchy and feely’ type of lady. So finding the right sort of help is going to be a challenge in itself.
Sorry to post a difficult subject, but just getting nervous that this is something that needs addressing sooner than later and pills just aren’t enough.
Thanks