Posted by Justherself on March 7, 2003, at 23:13:56
In reply to Re: caregiver burnout » Justherself, posted by jay on March 7, 2003, at 21:06:55
> Well it sounds like there are many issues-within-issues, and one of your best bets would be to communicate with others to find some kind of support. This is a good place to start, as there are a wide range of posters. Many supportive people, many with first-hand professional knowledge on many topics. But, just to have someone *acknowledge* your pain is relief in itself, and I believe you can find that here.
>
> The further action is going to have to be taken by you, but you may feel more confident in whatever choices you make, and maybe a bit better prepared for what life has to throw at you.
>
> Now, does your partner suffer from some kind of illness, and is that tied in with these issues? If so, it is a bit of a pattern I recognize, and I am sure others do to. If you could elaborate a bit more, maybe we could talk and help a bit more.
>
> Please keep posting.
>
> Best,
> JayThanks Jay. No he doesn't have any illnesses. He's a very social person, very active in the community. He has never been exposed to anyone suffering from this (to his knowledge). I told him he probably has many a time and just didn't know it. He now has great respect for people suffering from depression/anxiety. He has seen firsthand how difficult it can be to keep slogging away and says he doesn't know how I keep going. I only can say that I have hope and some kind of crazy faith that I'll feel better as I have before.
The "wall" so to speak that both of us are at now, is he doesn't know if he can give or comit anymore. He feels burned out, tired and frustrated. I know this bout of depression is lessening but I can't and won't put any more pressure on myself either, by saying everything's going to be wonderful again because it may not be and even if I am feeling better, I still have aways to go. I may relapse, cause that's the way it is and has been for 20 some years. I can be free of it for long periods of time but sooner or later I have to start the dreaded "trying to find the right combo of drugs".
I think because depression is such an isolating condition, the partners and families get really short shrift. The depressed person is so insular and self-isolated because it takes all their energy to keep going and that leaves their loved ones neglecting their own emotional health. So everyone ends up feeling angry, guilty and so, so frustrated.
I can only hope that we can somehow find a way to keep communicating and try to work it through, but I'm not "betting the farm on it".
I know I'm babbling away here, but it's the first time I'm had access to a computer for awhile. Just feels good to throw it out there and hope that the good people in this group can share and care.
Will keep checking posts as I can. Thanks.
poster:Justherself
thread:206945
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030203/msgs/207022.html