Although this is a public forum, My Mum is never going to see this so due to the maturity level on this board (Compared to others) I thought I'd ask some advice.

My Mother has been battling depression since she was a teenager and has attempted suicide a few times when she was younger. It seems now though the urges have come back to haunt her in her forties etc. She was working in public service (Biggest welfare office in Melbourne) and it has taken a toll on her mentally. To quote her words "All I say now is future drug addicts, criminals and leaches. When I see children, I don't see young happy being of life, I see future drug addicts. I'm in pain and I just want to die. You and your brother would get a nice pay out and I can be in peace"

Now, I have no Idea what to say to that. On one hand the thought of her killing herself hits home hard, But on the other hand, I can see where she's coming from as I too have depression and a panic disorder which I've been on Zoloft for for the last 3 years. I know what it's like to just want "peace" and "freedom" from all the bullshit.n Shes on all types of medication too I'e Lithium, Prozack etc.

She blames herself for the way my life turned out, although I tell her all the time that I made my own decisions and you did the best you could.

She called up my brothers Dad and asked to buy a Gun off him. Luckily I found out and called him back and told him that it wasn't needed. This isn't a cry for help either. She spent most of this year in a Psyche ward, But those places are a revolving door system. In and out and back again with no real results. She underwent shock therapy treatment (Electrocuting of the brain) and still nothing. It's taking a toll on me too as it's bringing me down and I find myself avoiding her, But then feeling guilty for doing so. I know she can't help it, But what can I do?

Has anyone gone through this? Or does anyone have any advice at all. Thanks in advance.

The little I know about it is that when people talk about suicide it is one thing but when they make a plan to do it, then it has to be taken seriously. The fact that she tried to get a gun is very frightening. I assume she is treating with a psychiatrist and/or a psychologist. You may want to get online and find out all you can about her situation, and locate the best doctor(s) in your city and possibly get her to go for a second or third opinion. There is a lot of controversy about some of the drug cocktails that get handed out like candy, and if she is on prozac which is a seratonin uptake inhibitor AND Lithium which is supposed to stabilize her, that needs to be looked at. Especially the lithium because if she is getting too little or too much it could exacerbate the situation. My grandfather's business partner suffered from manic-depression, and they screwed up his lithium dosage and he got a gun and killed himself, so that needs to be monitored.

Whisper, remember too that this is a terrible time of year if you suffer from depression. The rate of suicide does increase over the holiday season, so that could be contributing to her condition.

Don't be afraid to challenge her doctors. Many of them suffer from a God Complex, and it does them some good to be taken down a peg or two.

Well said SB.

Wow, whisper, That's horrible, there's not much I can help you with, but I know some people can become immune to serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, and may need to be put on a stronger dose

Whisper, a lot of these depressions can be due to a chemical imbalance in the body. It's imperative that you get your mom to a good psychiatrist and/or a good medical doctor to be checked out.

Like SB said - challenge the doctors - don't let them off with them saying it's all in your mom's mind. You may well be fighting for your mom's life.

Good luck!!

Whisper, I'm so sorry to hear this. I don't know what to add that others haven't. Of course, number one, assuming she is seeing a doctor, let him/her know (they may already). There may be a medication that will help her or a change of medication. Like SB says, this is the time of the year when many people get depressed. Someone who's been suffering from depression for such a long time,I wold imagine, can really be hit pretty hard.

All I can say is I will pray for your mom and your family. Stay by her, and see she gets the proper and necessary attention. I wish her (and you) good luck.

Take care and let us know how she's doing from time to time.

TIS

Hey Whisper. I know where you are coming from with this. My mother also suffers from depression She has done ever since my father passed away 6 and a half years ago. Her doctor sent her to a therapist but she refused to reveal anything. To her it was an invasion of her privacy to talk about her private life to a stranger. She has had numerous health problems which hasn't helped her either. Now i hasten to add she is'nt down all the time but when she is it is hard work. I am the only child so i look after her. When she is in a low spell nothing i can do is right,everything is my fault and i am basically a wall for her to throw abuse at. But i take it because she is my mother and i know the other side of her,kind,generous and loving!

I don't think she would contemplate killing herself but she often says if she died nobody would miss her. This breaks my heart because along with myself i have 4 great kids who love their Grandma very much.

These are the problems in life we have to deal with. No problem really moaning about it because it doesn't solve the problem. Talking about it here helps a bit though.

I attempted suicide a few times, never worked, that's why I'm still alive.

Is that you Lompac

You wanna ee me dead, your gonna have to do it to me yourself.

LMFAOOOOOO!

I think you're right De Niro.

Well you ain't.