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Depression in the family Support Group
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Depression ForumsGeneral & SupportWould Love some Input/Opinions
07/13/2011 10:37 AM
mamajo
mamajo
 
Posts: 365
Group Leader

Okay, so I have a 21 year old daughter who battles depression. She has a boyfriend who is in jail because of driving drunk in her car (thankfully she wasn't in it!) and getting into a single car accident. He's serving time the rest of the summer and for some reason she's decided to stick by him thru this all. He is supposedly the only one who stuck it out with her and her depression. Fair enough, but a month before the accident she was ready to break it off...then he sweet talked his way back. He has no job...her's is only part-time. She's moving in with his mom after her lease expires this month, so as of Sept they will be together at his moms. Now...he's on work release so she can now pick him up and drop him off..Pinch .she's not on any birth control and what will more than likely happen really worries me. To me it's a predictable situation...alcholic b/f, in jail, swears he's changed, they'll shack up, have a baby and then he'll start drinking again and she'll leave and come asking us for help. We still technically own her car - took it away for 6 weeks after the accident - got it running so she could look for a job - she's paid about 1/2 on it and owes us the rest; title is in our name.Dizzy

Anyways...I'm just wondering if I can do nothing but sit and watch this whole escapade unfold? I suppose at 21 no parents are right about much of anything, but this is really hard for me to watch...

Suggestions? Ermm

Dominus Illuminatio Mea
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02/10/2012 01:23 PM  Top
Angelface08
Angelface08
 
Posts: 218
Member
I'm an Advocate

Im almost 23 and I have made a fair amount of my own mistakes and had to figured out how to get back up. Its only made me stronger but if id only listened to my mom. Ive learned to listen now lol But you have a big fear and a valid one at that is going to affect you life not just hers, you might just want to sit her down in a restaurant somewhere where she cant get up and run off (go in one car) calmly over dinner tell her how yo feel and why you feel that way and why you are worried. Discuss you feelings with the boyfriend everything. Your both adults so have an adult conversation but as I suggested take one car so you guys have to say and have the conversation. Open, honest communication will make this easy and painless. I hope all works out and this helps some. Its how my mom dealt with my sister, car out to dinner. Our relationship open and honest communication so its pretty smooth. Best of luck!
I have epilepsy,Myasthenia gravis,ADHD,Asthma,HSV, recovered ED, free of abuse, HSV and depression. I wont be a victim of abuse.

“This life is what you make it. Not matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, somg go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And babve, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up becuase if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.”
― Marilyn Monroe

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
Mother Teresa

My advice is all from personal experience I am not a doctor, do not substitute this for medical advice :)

02/11/2012 12:26 PM  Top
mamajo
mamajo
 
Posts: 365
Group Leader

Thanks so much for your reply! I really do appreciate it. So if your mom had done this with you, do you think it would have helped?

update - b/f is out of jail, they are living with his mom, trying to find a place of their own but credit is an issue as she pretty much ruined hers and I don't think he has any either. She is at least happier and seems to be on the right track with her meds for depression. She's now working full-time and he is too. I understand he wanted to get married in June and she said to wait another year (hoping that we'll accept him by that time). He's on probation until next June too. She's still not on b/c but I know she isn't worried thinking that they'll just get married and live happily ever after. I still don't trust him as he flat out told me he didn't want to get married until we accepted him, even if it took a couple of years. Well, that already proves a lie as he asked her to get married this year!

Anyways...I may just try to talk to her once again...going out to dinner is a great idea Smile

Dominus Illuminatio Mea

02/12/2012 03:20 PM  Top
marblelily
marblelily
 
Posts: 10
New Member

Another suggestion I have is simply going on a drive with her. I know this is more inconvenient because of gas prices, but as a 20-year-old I know this is the easiest way for my mom and I to talk. Being in the car means you can't leave the discussion, but I find for me personally it is also easier to open up when I don't have to look directly at the person. She might be more willing to listen to you, and even tell you her true feelings, if she can look out the window instead of being forced to watch every reaction and facial expression you make, and vice versa. Sometimes these are hard to control, and she might say something to make you unhappy, so I find being able to hide that initial face of displeasure and really take a minute to think before responding helps. It also might make it easier for her to say something she knows you won't like if she doesn't have to look you in the face to say it. Maybe ask her to go out to dinner somewhere a little farther away to give you some time to ride together. Have dinner, establish a good conversation and some ease, and leave the heavier stuff for in the car. Relaxing together and discussing something other than her boyfriend and living/financial situation might be a good way for the two of you to just have fun together before getting into the heavier stuff.

This is all from experience, so no guarantees. Best of luck, I hope everything goes well!


Previous discussions I participated in:
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Hello everyone-new here!

02/12/2012 09:54 PM  Top
mamajo
mamajo
 
Posts: 365
Group Leader

Thanks again for this suggestion...that is a good idea - I've always managed to have good conversations with her before in the car. Seems that's one of the best places for a teen to talk too Smile

And experience says a lot!

Dominus Illuminatio Mea

03/25/2012 09:47 PM  Top
marblelily
marblelily
 
Posts: 10
New Member

If I may ask, how did it go? Were you able to find any resolve?

Previous discussions I participated in:
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Hello everyone-new here!

06/26/2012 10:21 AM  Top
hypnagogic
hypnagogic
 
Posts: 1744
Group Leader
I'm an Advocate

I've done the car conversation. They can turn away from you but they still have to listen and they can't run away. My daughter is only 13, deals with MDD, and had kept things bottled up inside. Still does for the most part. Though I'm 42 and am friends with my parents and still respect them as my parents and go to them for advice on occasion, my daughter is way to young for that. Even at 21 that may be too young. It's an individual thing too. I explained to my daughter that at this juncture in her life I can be friendly with her, however, I am still her father. As her father, there are expectations, and yes, I understand that her illness is a factor to be taken into account. Well, even at 42 I will listen to my mom and dad if they tell me something. I still respect them. Maybe that's one of the key factors...respect. If there is the honest and open communication and respect earned on both parts, then possibly things could be smoother. Just some thoughts.

And yes, how have things gone?

Not a psychiatrist (pdoc) nor a therapist...what you read are my thoughts and there you go.

My mind is like lightning...one brilliant flash and it's gone.

Diagnosis: Human


Equetro, Clonazepam, Clonidine, Lamotrigine, Xanax (PRN)

06/30/2012 09:49 PM  Top
mamajo
mamajo
 
Posts: 365
Group Leader

wow, had a whole thing written days ago and somehow it never posted. Well, an update is in order - they got married on the 21st of June. Real short version - I got wind of it two weeks before, talked to both of them and ended up telling them they would be better off eloping and letting us know afterwards, which is pretty much what they did. Hubby took it okay as she had been dropping hints and now time will tell. He says he'll never drink again, but he still has 16 months of probation left. That could be good, as maybe he'll put it out of his mind by that time. They do seem good for each other, so who knows. I'll just pray it all works out in the end. Thanks for all the advice - I do appreciate it!!! Smile
Dominus Illuminatio Mea

07/01/2012 06:07 AM  Top
hypnagogic
hypnagogic
 
Posts: 1744
Group Leader
I'm an Advocate

Thanks for the update. Do hope that it works and that the drinking does stop.

Peace Cool

Not a psychiatrist (pdoc) nor a therapist...what you read are my thoughts and there you go.

My mind is like lightning...one brilliant flash and it's gone.

Diagnosis: Human


Equetro, Clonazepam, Clonidine, Lamotrigine, Xanax (PRN)
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