my dad

Little House Lady Number of posts : 2761

Around this time last year, my dad got really depressed and anxious. With the onset of winter, it has returned again and although he isn't nearly as bad as he was last year (thank God), he is still feeling down. For the first month or so, he seemed a little off and my mother and I could tell, but he was trying to fight the way he was feeling which I think may have made it a little worse. He was so sad the other night when we talked about it - he said he thought this was something he could beat and I know he's feeling a little weak for not being able to. But thankfully, he kept in contact with his counselor from last year, and accepts the fact that he does have an illness and that it's not his fault, that he can't change it or fight it but he can treat it and prevent it from getting worse. The counselor told him that she knows a lot of people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder and that the majority of his feeling depressed in from that. He's decided to go back on the medicine he was taking last year and we're hoping for the best. When I think of how bad he got before he got better last year, it makes me sick to my stomach - I don't ever want to see him so frail and hopeless again. If you could, could you please pray for him, that he is able to get through this and get better again? I would really appreciate it. {{hugs}}

"It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong."

Subject: Re: my dad Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:23 pm

Christina, your family and my family sure have been in the same boat lately. I really don't think my mom's is seasonal disorder but she is suffering from Depression and anxiety. I know exactly what you're going through---half the time she can't even eat, and she complains about every ache and pain. This is NOT the mom I know! I wrote about her trying "Sam-e" on the thread about her, and it's been two weeks as of today. We all see improvement, but I'm not sure if she's going to get enough from it. If she needs to, she'll have to go on the Xanax, but for right now we're all encouraging her to fight this naturally. "Sam-e" is a compound that is produced naturally in your body, and as we age, it can decrease, to the point that the lack of it can make you depressed. This is actually being used as a drug in Europe, but it hasn't been approved by the FDA yet here. It's sold over the counter though. It might be worth a shot with your dad...

http://www.sam-e.com/

I'll will be praying for him Christina!

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

~Mother Teresa

Guest

I'm sorry to hear this, Christina & Amy. It's so hard to see our parents hurting. Blue

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones. :alright:

Subject: Re: my dad Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:27 pm

I'm sorry to hear about this Christina and Amy. Christina it's a good idea--though the counselor probably told you this--to make sure the house is as light as possible. Pull back drapes and use artifical light to simulate the brighter days in spring and summer. Take it from someone who knows, it makes a big difference.

Both your families will be in my prayers.

Subject: Re: my dad Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:49 pm

I'll Be Praying Christina

"Psalm 34" Number of posts : 54431 Mood :

I'll add my prayers as well. Hugs to both of you!

Subject: Re: my dad Sat Dec 20, 2008 12:44 am

I'll be praying too, Christina and Amy.

Subject: Re: my dad Sat Dec 20, 2008 12:50 am

Prayers for your dad through the gloomy winter months Christina....Make sure you get him one of those lights to sit in front of daily....this will help him a LOT!

CANCER FREE!!! April 9, 1998-April 9, 2025-I AM A SURVIVOR!!!

Subject: Re: my dad Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:53 am

Your dad is absolutely in my prayers, Christina. Keep us posted.

Subject: Re: my dad Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:13 am

Thanks guys, I do appreciate the prayers for my mom too. Christina, I meant to tell you I'm sorry you're going through all this 'stuff' in your life right now, with all the wedding planning. That in itself is high stress enough! PM me anytime if you need to vent. my dad Amour63

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

~Mother Teresa

Little House Lady Number of posts : 2761

Thanks, Amy - I really appreciate that. I'm praying for your mom too, I'm sorry but I didn't check that thread lately and had no idea she's going through the same thing. Feel free to PM me anytime you want to vent also! Thank you all so much for your prayers - I know they are the main thing that makes a difference.

A bit more bad news today - my dad went to church today to help them decorate for Christmas and when he was walking in, he slipped on the ice and fell. He'd been walking with his hands in his pockets and fell in such a way that his elbow was pressing into his side. He was saying it hurt, so my mom is at the hospital with him right now getting an x-ray. If you could send some additional prayers that nothing is broken I'd be very grateful. He's a contractor so the work he does is very physical - moving, kneeling, stretching - and if he has broken ribs he can't work, and then he'll be stuck inside with even less to do, which I don't think he could take right now. He is already convinced that he does have broken ribs and won't be able to work, and talking about not being able to complete a job, or do any of the work he has lined up. He's never been so negative, and never worried so much about things. The father I knew growing up would have said "it's probably just a bruise, we'll see how it is in the morning", not be convinced of the worst. He's so different. I'm waiting to hear from my mom if he's okay, and will update when I know anything. Thanks again, I really do appreciate it!

"It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong."

Subject: Re: my dad Sat Dec 20, 2008 4:17 pm

Oh, Christina, I'm so sorry to hear about all of this. How awful that your dad slipped on the ice. I pray that nothing is broken. I will also be praying that he is able to cope with his depression. Please let us know how he is doing. {{{{Hugs}}}}

Guest

I'm sorry to hear this, Christina. Your father is in my thoughts and prayers. Thumbsup

Subject: Re: my dad Sat Dec 20, 2008 6:37 pm

More prayers are going out for your dad, Christina.

Subject: Re: my dad Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:48 pm

Prayers for your dad!

LETS GO PENS!

Subject: Re: my dad Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:27 pm

I'll Be Praying

Little House Lady Number of posts : 2761

Good news - nothing is broken, thank God. He still is pretty sore, but will be fine. His spirits are pretty low, though - he's going to take the week off from work and I'm not sure how being stuck in the house will go for him.

"It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong."