Thank you Alice Cooper for my title, I seem to be saying it a lot of late.
I really don’t know where to start anymore, my life is so up and down that part of me is missing the depression I suffered with for so long; at least that was a constant, at least with that I could hide in my bed all day, at least then I could give up. I am under so much strain that every day I think “today I’m going to crack”, and then tomorrow comes with even more stress and still I don’t, I have no idea how I am still going. I barely eat, I barely sleep, I am in a constant state of worry but still I carry on and still I can’t walk away. I guess that’s love.
This is, without doubt, the most frustrating time of my life. If I had a penny for all the times I’ve told myself “It’s not his fault, it’s the depression” I would be able to afford to fly out to him. It breaks my heart every time he acts like he doesn’t care, every time he says horrid stuff to try to get me to leave, every time he berates himself. I wish he could just give it a break for 5 minutes, I wish, just for that short period of time, he would stop hating himself enough to see how fantastic he is. Because I know he is. I’ve seen his soul and I know that it’s good. I know that underneath the depression and the self hatred and the other layers of trauma, he is a truly incredible man. He’s strong, and passionate, he loves his friends and his family, he’s funny and charming, he’s loving and caring, and he makes me so happy. We have had so many great times in our 3 years, we have both been happier than we ever thought possible and it makes me so angry that this disease has robbed us of that.
That’s what I feel most often now; anger. Anger that yet another person I love is being taken from me. My Gran was stolen from us by dementia, my Dad by cancer and now him by depression. I know being angry wont help, I know I should be using that energy to sooth and help him, but I am blinded by hatred for that disease. And it makes me more angry because I know there is nothing he can do about it, I know that he is just as helpless as I am. I also know that no one can help him like I can, which makes me angry too because I am failing, every day he is still under that black cloud is another day that I have failed him.
I beat it, and that angers me too. Why couldn’t it take me instead? Why can’t he believe that he can do it? He watched me fight it, he was there as I gradually beat it back, he saw me grow and he still doesn’t believe it’s possible. I know it is the depression telling him that he isn’t strong enough, I know that it whispers in his ear that he will never escape, I know it screams at him about how much a failure he is, but he watched me win
Last week he lied to me, this week he left me, but he did neither of those things. He had no control over them, some of the things he does I believe are swayed by outside factors, but mostly it is the depression. It wants to make him suffer, it wants him alone where no one can save him, it wants to remove every one who cares so it can destroy him. It will make him say and do things that he doesn’t want to to hurt those people who care, it will tell him, over and over, that he doesn’t deserve them, that he doesn’t deserve to be happy, it will force his hand onto his self-destruct button and it will keep it there until there is nothing left. It has already sucked his energy, he is already at the point where he has nothing left to fight with. 1-0. I won’t let it score a second goal, I will play every position on the field if I have to, I wont let him be taken by it.
If you, or someone you know can relate to this please contact a GP and/or view some of these links:
Samaritans – 08457 90 90 90
MIND – they cover all mental health problems and have advice for the sufferer and their families too.
Breaking the Silence – they are bringing mental health awareness into the 21st century. They’re active on facebook too, so become a fan and tell your friends and they also have links to blogs and other sites for support.
Sane – who deal with all mental health issues and have phone numbers on their home page for help too.
Depression Alliance – Specific help for depression, promoting the “you are not alone” message.
Since this blog post was written, the posting has been delayed, he has gone into counselling and we are still together. He will be home by May.
*Hugs.
I really admire you for coming out and saying this! I suffered with depression as a teen and I’m still struggling with how to put pen to paper and write about it.
well done you. It is so hard, I was the sufferer and MAdDad was a tower of strenth and I could not have got better (well at least for now) without him.
BE strong, somethings are worth fighting for
What an emotional post – you are so strong – stronger than I think you realise x x
Thanks for all the support
I don’t know what I’d do without you lot and my blog!
You are so strong, and well done you for writing this post. It is very emotional and a he is so lucky to have you xx
A very emotional post. I’ve also been there but didn’t have the support that you are giving. I’m so glad he’s gone to councelling and that you are still together. One day soon he will wake up and see a beautiful sunny day and you will be able to smile about it together.
Hang in there.. it will come good in the end. He’s lucky to have such a strong person behind him. A lot of people would have walked away a long time ago xx
Bless you all, thanks. I don’t feel strong at the moment! I think I’m running on adrenaline, once he’s back and I can relax I think it’s all going to hit me.
I really appreciate all your comments, thank you so much for taking the time to read, and then to post something. Means a lot to me
I know exactly how you feel. Exactly. I too beat an illness (not mental illness but it certainly had it’s mental aspects) and now seeing my husband suffering from his mental illness tears me apart.
It’s hard to build a life together when one of you isn’t always “you.” And dealing with the anger and lashing out, even when you know its because of the illness, is difficult. It’s hard not to let it get you down and feel personal.
I hope the counselling helps and you two can settle into something close to “normal.” (as if any of us are that)