It came to light this week that my 20 year old son is suffering with depression.
He is normally lively, happy and chirpy, probably the liveliest in the family. He broke up with his girlfriend of three years two weeks ago, his grandad has been ill and one of the family dogs had to be put to sleep this week. Naturally he has been upset because of these events, however he blurted out to me that he has been feeling low for months prior to this, he feels these events have made him "crack". He can't stand being on his own, though he understands that i have to go to work and can't even sleep in his bedroom, instead he has been sleeping on the sofa in the lounge with a light on.
I have taken him to the doctor, he has been signed off work for two weeks and has been referred for councelling. At the moment he's staying with his dad for a few days for a change of scenery.
Knowing he is so low is breaking my heart.
He isn't sleeping very well and is constantly tired. His appetite is normally huge, he barely has any appetite at all at the moment. He says he is bored but doesn't want to do anything. I've encouraged him to walk the dogs with me to get him out the house.
I know all these things are normal when someone is depressed, I just want him well again. I feel torn apart an helpless and would do anything to have these bad feelings myself so that he doesn't. He's not a drinker or a drug user and says he has no intention of harming himself but I'm so so scared for him.
Please, if you have any advice or suggestions of how to help my lovely son let me know.
Hello so sorry to hear about your son. I suffer from depression and urge you to get the counselling before going down the medical path. This might be all he needs. I am on antidepressants but actually do not keep well for long so personally wouldnt recommend this as a first stop. Althoufh ive had lots of stress. You are doing the right thing by trying to keep him busy by getting him out of the house. This is the best thing trying to keep active even though I know it's really hard. There are lots of websites like Mind you may be able to contact or have a local branch near you.
Hope this helps a little. All the best
Chris x
Im sorry to hear about your son,ive recently been feeling similar to how you son has been feeling.
I was just like him before, happy,always laughing the strong one in the family...and over a few months its just come...mines more anxiety,im no expert but sounda like your son has a bit of that aswell....
i got to a point where i hated my bedroom,i got a bad feeling when i was in there and hated being in the dark,i get panicky when it time to go to sleep,thats probaly why your sons taken to sleeping downstairs..
I think its great hea gone to his dads for a few day hopefully it will calm him a little...i know it sounds silly but ive been getting magazines like take a break,chat etc and find that doing the different quiz really help,when your doing the puzzles your brain is totally focused on the quiz, its also a good feeling entering the answers not a waste of time then.
I dont know if any if this helps but i think your doing great,hes got a good family around him so he will get through it....
Stace x
You are doing all the right things for your son. Being alone is something I can sympathise with, as I find it very difficult too. I know you feel helpless, but so long as he knows you and his dad are there for him, that will help him enormously.
I got a dog to make me go out of the house. Depression is a difficult illness, and does make people isolate themselves and find it difficult to communicate to others. Often we hid how we feel. Many think they are a burden.
My advice is to carry on doing what you are doing now. Hopefully counselling will help, but sometimes there is quite a wait. Just be there for him. That is the most important thing.
It is difficult to watch our loved ones so low and depressed. Of course you want him to be well again. Hopefully those two weeks off work will help. He may find he needs longer than that.