Hi Seren13
It must feel pretty stressful, not being able to go and see your mum. I'm wondering if you just chat on the phone of if you've got a video chat thing going with her. Nice to be able to see a friendly face when things feel like they're getting on top of us. Seeing you might make some difference.
I imagine you've already asked your mum what's bringing her down or keeping her down. With all this covid business, I also imagine she's got a lot of free time to think about these things which challenge her. Wondering if you've given her something to look forward to like telling her 'If all goes well, I'll be coming to see you before the end of the year. Now, mum, how are you going to fill in the time between now and then?' This challenging time for her becomes about 'in between time' not a state that feels never ending.
Maybe you can do a bit of research on diet for your mum to help with the chemistry in depression. You don't have to share with her this is what the diet is specifically for, maybe just suggest to her that you're going to set a goal to create an eating plan for her (to generate a bit of creativity) and you want her to share her progress with you along the way, so as to inspire you to change your ways. Your ways may not need changing at all but leading your mum to believe you're in it together might help make some positive difference to her. A lot of research being done these days in the world of 'Mood and Food'. It's pretty interesting stuff.
I imagine it's tough for your brother dealing with the down side of depression (your mum's expressions of negativity and sadness). Wondering if he's done any research on depression, to give him some insight into why the brain ticks the way it does. Chemistry is a pretty powerful thing. It's like once the chemistry in depression takes hold, it takes us along for the ride (a pretty torturous and hopeless one). Lived both inside and now outside of depression and the perception between the 2 mind states is astounding.
Another form of creativity to perhaps suggest to her is colouring in. There are some fantastic colouring books for grown ups out there, to amuse the kid in us. Relaxed activity is good for the brain in many ways. Good for the soul too.
Don't forget to look after yourself too Seren. Someone so thoughtful and caring needs some care too 🙂
