When Someone Else is Depressed

 Well, just when I think the Black Dog has stopped tracking me I find that it has slunk in from another angle. Just a couple of days ago I was loving the sun on my face and silently rejoicing about all that is good in the world and now, over the past couple of days, I have come face to face with the fact that my daughter is not only quite depressed, but also suffers from anxiety.  FML. 

Life loves to throw us a curve ball.  Frankly, I would much rather face going though another deep dark black period myself than have to watch helplessly while someone I love suffers.

I do feel quite helpless.  I get that there is not NOTHING I can do, but I still feel like my ability to change and influence the situation is limited.

What have I done so far?

• Called a naturopath to request an appointment for my daughter - still waiting to hear back at this stage
• Called the local Women's counselling service to find out about locations, pricing, wait lists and areas of expertise - now I have to leave it to my daughter to choose (or not) to make contact with them herself
• Been there, to the best of my ability, although right now I am on my way to work, so I won't be able to ee her until tomorrow 

What else can I do?

• Research, try to gather as much knowledge as I can about what it is I can do to help - so just when I thought I could let this space rest, here I am again! And that's ok, it has to be
• Continue to be there, as much as she wants me to be
• Reach out to her more than I have in the past.  Sometimes when my daughter doesn't come over, or make contact, I think she's just busy with other things, or doesn't feel like spending time with boring old me - turns out sometimes she doesn't come around because she's too depressed!
• I was thinking I might get her a beautiful book to use as a "Gratitude Journal" because everything I know about gratitude projects points to the fact that they are very helpful 
• Let her lead, if she is able, but be ready to step in if it all goes spiralling too far downhill.  I think longer term recoveries work the best if the person in the hotseat does the driving - but I'm no expert at this

Damn!  This is not what I would wish on anyone at all, let alone a beloved child of mine.  I'm so sad that this is where she is at.  I will do everything within my power to find her way back.

I guess the one small blessing is that I know there is a way.  I've been there.