[lunafay]

I'm a single mother to a 6 year old son. I suffer from Major Depression. I'm on a lot of medications, plus I'm doing ECT treatments to treat my depression. I just want to say how hard it is to be a parent when you are battling mental illness. I try to hide it from my son the best I can but I have to say it's one of the hardest things I have to do. I wish I could explain it to my son but I just don't know how.

[Michelea]

I understand how difficult it is to raise children when you are depressed.

Do you have any type of support system with family and/or friends?

I am in the same boat as a single mother to a 10 year old, I have been honest with her in terms she can understand and have used days like "R U Ok' day to open up a conversation with her about what mental illness is.

I hope I am successful in bringing her up with enough compassion and understanding to fully understand and accept what mental illness is....Also I feel it is very important let her know that it is ok to feel whatever emotions she might feel in regards to my illness and to be honest about that too

It is tough. I think being open and honest is the only way through it and acknowledge that the stigmas that are wrapped around having a mental illness are as pointless and archaic as racism/sexism etc

[lunafay]

Originally Posted by Michelea

I understand how difficult it is to raise children when you are depressed.

Do you have any type of support system with family and/or friends?

Thank you so much for your reply. I do have a support system. My boyfriend and my sister.

[lunafay]

Originally Posted by -Bix

I am in the same boat as a single mother to a 10 year old, I have been honest with her in terms she can understand and have used days like "R U Ok' day to open up a conversation with her about what mental illness is.

I hope I am successful in bringing her up with enough compassion and understanding to fully understand and accept what mental illness is....Also I feel it is very important let her know that it is ok to feel whatever emotions she might feel in regards to my illness and to be honest about that too

It is tough. I think being open and honest is the only way through it and acknowledge that the stigmas that are wrapped around having a mental illness are as pointless and archaic as racism/sexism etc

I think that's a healthy way to handle it. I hope to be honest with my son too. I don't like hiding it from him. Thank you so much for your advise

[Michelea]

That is wonderful to hear, lunafay. A support system can make such a huge difference in things. Glad you haven't isolated yourself like depression can make us want to do, so kudos for keeping that at bay.

I see that you are new here. I joined a little while back, and was pretty surprised by how much being here has helped. Hope you find that here, too.

[lunafay]

Originally Posted by Michelea

That is wonderful to hear, lunafay. A support system can make such a huge difference in things. Glad you haven't isolated yourself like depression can make us want to do, so kudos for keeping that at bay.

I see that you are new here. I joined a little while back, and was pretty surprised by how much being here has helped. Hope you find that here, too.

Thank you. I joined today. I think this forum will help a lot