[officerdiggy739]

My girlfriend and I have been dating for a little over a year now and I was recently admitted into a hospital for depression issues. After I was discharged I was told by her father that I should not contact her anymore. Not having a proper goodbye or anything really made me upset and mad. Her and I both have been seeing private therapists and I take medication to ease my depression. I have noticed some improvement over the months and I am slowly getting my head back on straight. Is there some way I can prove this to her father so I can show him that I am mature and responsible to date his daughter? Is there something that I need to do or something that she needs to do? Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thank You!

[hamster-bamster]

You should do absolutely nothing.

You do not owe any proof to her dad. Her dad took the position he took because of a combination of prejudice, ignorance, and overly protective attitude towards his daughter.

He is also overly controlling of his daughter because I am sure she did want to say goodbye at least, but he did not let her.

He wronged you, in a way, and in way, wronged his daughter by not allowing her independence and freedom of choice. He dictates her choices.

what would you be proving to such a man?

Whether she needs to do something depends on what she wants. But let her figure it out on her own. Do not contact her dad because it might turn to be deeply, deeply humiliating for you and would reverse, in an instant, all the wonderful progress you have made feeling better

Yes, I would second hamster-bamster's recommendations. (I don't know how old the two of you are. I'm assuming you're both still minors.) The ball is in your girlfriend's court for better or worse. If she can't stand up to her dad, or doesn't want to for whatever reason, my perspective is there's not much you can do. You'll demonstrate the most maturity by simply staying on track with your current treatment & by continuing to progress.

[jadzea]

How old are you and how old is your girlfriend? If you are both consenting adults there is not much her father can do to force you apart. It is possible though, if she lives with him, that he can make her life miserable if she continues to see you. Write her a note telling her how you feel and asking her if she is going to obey her father or not. If she says she is, there is not much you can do. If she says she is not, she will have to pay the consequences and they may not be pleasant.

[Crazy Hitch]

Oh dear.

I'm sorry to hear about this.

It is a difficult situation.

Her dad is still a very important role player in her life and obviously wants to protect her. It will be rather difficult to change his mind. He seems pretty fixed on his point of view.