posted January 12, 2004 05:32 AM         

He is now under the care of his GP (doctor) and has been for one session to a psychiatrist.

I feel like he is a dead man walking and he is pushing the family away. He is such a proud man. This is so painful as I have always regarded my Dad as the epitome of sheer strength.

Anyway, if you wouldn't mind saying a prayer for my father, I would be so grateful.

Thanks for listening.

posted January 12, 2004 10:17 AM         

So sorry to hear your Father is in such emotional pain. You said he is under a Dr.'s care...was he prescribed any antidepressants? Sometimes a chemical imbalance in the brain can cause depression so severe that suicide feels like the only solution. Or if instead (or in addition) he has been through something traumatic, perhaps therapy can help him. Often, genuine relief can come with little more than a different perspective, which a therapist can help him to see. Believe me, this is something I understand.

Oh, and for what it's worth, I read years ago something about a connection between a B vitamin deficiency, alcoholism, and depression; so as simplistic as it may sound, sometimes improved nutrition can make a big difference too.

posted January 12, 2004 10:40 AM         

I will add him to my prayer list.
Could you share a first name or nic for him?

to you too!

juniperb

posted January 13, 2004 11:18 AM         

Sincerely,
divinia

posted January 14, 2004 06:00 PM         

I am seeing my Mum and my Dad this weekend and I am going to try to talk to my Dad gently about all of this becasue he isn't replying to any of my emails. I can only try.

Thank you again for all of your prayers. This means so much to me. I really appreciate your time.

Thank you too for listening.

posted March 07, 2004 05:08 AM         

Make sure your dad continue seeing his psychiatrist and make sure he quit alcohol as alcohol damages one's brain cells profoundly (I am not exaggerating; Linda was right about this) and may cause depression. When one gets depressed, one loses interests in everything and all his/her loved ones seem drifting away from him/her so one can't get out of it. Try cheering your dad up, remind him of those happy moments, remind him that there are people out there who understand (no matter to what extent) and who love and care about him so much. Make him see that he is loved.

I will pray for your dad and your family, may all of you reach peace of mind and harmony.

Love
Peace
Joy

posted March 08, 2004 01:37 PM         

I am court ordered to live in a halfway house right now and attend outpatient rehab. I just got done with the inpatient part in the middle of jan. So anyway, I have a lot of exposure to people in recovery,alcoholism,drug addiction, depression (most addicts and alcoholics have this badly- especially if you take someone who has been relying on a substance for so long their brain really only releases serotonin when that substance is present, so when the person quits they have horrible depression) I mean, I am SUPPOSED to go to a 12-step meeting everyday says the halfway house, but I go everynow and then. I think they are really helpful if someone were "hitting a bottom" and sometimes the only way to go is up. HOnestly I am there because I'm court ordered, and I try to keep an open mind to all the spiritual priniciples taught, but my heart is not in it. It's also really helpful to meet and see other people that are going thru similar struggles. Would he ever consider going to a meeting. They say in the meetings, that there is no parallel to the help from one addict/alcoholic to another. Do you think he would go to a meeting? Perhaps he wouldn't feel so alone if he knew others had the same struggles....

I will keep y'all in my prayers. Love and hugs. d