Help - family member with depression
Hi
My sister was diagnosed with depression and has been receiving treatment through anti depressions for about 6 weeks now, with one increase in the meds. I have suspected she has been for a while as there has been a lot going on in our lives the past few years, to the point to which I think she has given up entirely and cannot motivate herself to push through her school work.
I myself have anxiety and sometimes spells of depression and as a Psychology student & her sister I completely get why she is struggling.
I am just looking for any advice for how I can help support her, especially when she is demotivated at a crucial time in her studies (exams in Sixth Form). I've tried various ways of her seeing the positive or how can I help motivate her, and other people have tried the harsher way - to which she definitely does not respond to (which I knew). Another thing is I am at uni across the country so can only verbally support her, and my dad who she lives with is no help whatsoever.
I just want to help her do her best but not sure how as her depression has taken over her work ethic, saying things like I dont want to do work and that she is stupid and is going to fail and nothing is going in. Any advice would be much appreciated :)
Hi there. Being a psychology student yourself and experiencing similar things, you probably know that this demotivation and feelings of worthlessness and things not being important is a nasty part of depression. One thing I'm hearing that makes me feel a bit concerned is that it sounds like you want to take some responsibility for her and what she does. But you will probably find out that that would simply not work. You can only take responsibility for your own self care and health management and be an example to her in that way. It's very hard to see our loved ones suffer, but sometimes the kindest thing we can do for them is to let them find their own way through it, even if their way is full of flaws in our eyes. Let them make their mistakes. Let them carry their consequences. And let her come to you when she wants to, when she's ready and then tell you what she needs from you. I know this isn't easy. I've gone through something similar with both my sisters. I wish for you courage and comfort, because I know you will need both.