*Waves Hello* New to Forums

[Staycalm]

For some time I've been in need of a forum that might give me support and advice about managing teen anxiety and depression and I found myself here tonight, so hi there folks.

I am a mum to a teenage girl with anxiety and depression and have a history of depression myself. I have also been battling chronic fatigue for over 10 years so it can be a struggle to look after myself and my family. My husband is generally supportive but after a year of focus on our daughter I worry that he's feeling a bit neglected and stressed, especially as his job is frustrating and unfulfilling and I only work casually. Money can be tight, especially around this time of year.

I am a librarian, have two dogs and two cats and love doing family research on the computer for fun. I also read a lot of rubbishy fanfic but don't hold it against me.

[BballJ]

Hi Staycalm,

Firstly, welcome to the forums, you have found a great forum with a load of great people. I am sure many people will benefit from the advice you have to offer with your experiances and I hope we can also help you with your questions. I joined these forums due to my anxiety which I have been battling to 10 years and they have been a big help to easing my anxiety from many, many great people just talking to me who are dealing with the same thing.

I can understand how hard it would be dealing with depression and chronic fatigue whilst trying to hold up a family and juggle it all.... almost makes you feel like supermum I reckon. Have you or your daugther ever spoken to a psychologist about what you are all going through? to try and make sense of it all?

Nothing wrong with rubbishy fanfic as well..anything that helps take your mind of reality is a great thing, I have been known to dip into ready comics and I am in my late 20's cause i simply enjoy it 🙂

My best for you and your family,

Jay

[Zeal]

Hi Staycalm,

Welcome to the forum!

I am pleased to see that Jay has already replied with kind words of support.

I'm glad you've come here for advice about supporting your daughter with anxiety and depression. Hopefully you can get some support too, as both a carer and someone who is living with chronic fatigue. Having that constant fatigue as a Mum, wife and librarian must be exhausting. If you don't mind me asking, has a doctor given any tips or recommendations? Do you see a doctor regularly? As Jay said, your daughter would benefit from seeing a psychologist (or similar health professional). Getting a referral from her GP is a good option. You may also like to see a psychologist or counsellor.

There are online resources I recommend often on the forum. A mental health nurse introduced me to the Centre for Clinical Interventions several years ago. With school and other stresses though, your daughter may not want to read through the online modules. However, saving the links for future reference is a good idea.

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_ID=37 (depression)

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_ID=46 (anxiety)

Here is the general page with all the resources together, in case there are others that are useful: http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/consumers.cfm This Beyondblue site could be useful for you and your husband: https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/age-13

I'm glad your husband is supportive overall. His stressful work-life would unfortunately mean he is probably mentally drained when he gets home, so may have less patience and a lessened ability to cope.
If you or a family member need to talk to someone understanding, the Beyondblue 24/7 support service is on 1300 22 4636.

I hope this forum is a supportive and helpful place. Feel free to post back when you are ready.

Best wishes,

Zeal

Reading what you coin 'rubbishy' novels is better than watching reality TV though! Last year I developed a liking for romance novels, particularly by Samantha Young. Her On Dublin Street series is great. I have just read the first two novels for the second time, after first reading them last year. I will probably reread the first book in the series in a few days. I also enjoy literature and psychology-related books. I just finished studying undergraduate psychology at uni, so I suppose the latter isn't a surprise.

[Zeal]

p.s. sorry about the slab of text under my signoff!

[Sanuye]

Hi,

I am waving back warmly....

I'm new here myself, but for what its worth.

Hello 🙂

S.

[geoff]

hello Staycalm, you're coping with a great deal on your hands at the moment, because struggling with chronic fatigue plus the fact that depression also makes you very tired would make your life to be a real effort.
I understand the concern you have for your husband and he's lucky that considering how unwell you are, plus how your teenage is, that he does have someone who wants to care about him, because it wouldn't be easy, but what worries me is how much is he hiding from you so that he doesn't harm you even more than you are now.
There is a lot of pressure, especially this time of the year, that the three of you each have to cope with maybe also hiding your feelings from each other, and that does concern me, but now it's great for you to have found a site where you can post.
I'm pleased you have joined and this goes to Sanuye as well. Geoff.