Dawnshade
Thank you so much ❤️ That’s exactly the kind of insight I was after! Although yes I’m sure it’s different for everyone.
Sorry I should clarify- yes, lots already in place. She is under the care of a psychiatrist, and is medicated. She’s on quite a high dose of antidepressant actually, and has just had it increased again and will increase again in another week. It worked wonderfully for her severe anxiety, which is why we sought out the psychiatrist, but now she has this severe depression which is not getting any better, in fact it’s getting worse. 😭
She has only just gotten into a psychologist, saw her Monday and she seemed to like her thank goodness, and sees her again on Thursday. Previously saw a couple of psychs but didn’t click with them, except for the one she saw years ago when she was younger who has since moved away.
School is also fully aware and wonderfully supportive.
But yeah, I like to think I’m pretty cluey about a lot of things, but I just don’t know what to do with a person with depression, except for all the basic things, I know all that and I like to think I know how to be a good listener etc. But knowing how far to push her into self care has me stressed out most days, as I know she feels like she’s disappointed me so I don’t want to make that feeling worse IYKWIM?
With the eating she definitely fits ARFID symptoms at the best of times. Just no desire to eat and rarely feels hungry. Plus now with the low motivation and energy, she just can’t be bothered.
I’ve managed to get flexibility with work, so now I’ve started staying home in the mornings so I make sure she wakes up, gets up, and makes herself breakfast, or I will make her some if she’s unable to.
One good ‘lifestyle’ thing she does is exercise; she dances 4 times a week and goes willingly most days, or like today, goes with encouragement. That’s another thing I don’t know how hard to push; going to dancing, also going to school- do I force her to go when she says she REALLY can’t?
