Parenting With Depression

By Randi Morse

Parenting children is difficult on a good day. Add in a dose of mental illness and watch as the job goes from difficult to near impossible. Depression is a very common mental illness in this country, in fact the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that just over 10 percent of women struggle with depression. This means that there are mothers trying to parent while dealing with depression at the same time.

This is something that I struggled with. As my children were growing I found myself disengaged from their lives, feeling like I was on the outside, alone and miserable, while my children and husband were having fun and laughing. I eventually came to realize that I needed to get a handle on my depression, not only to make my own life better but to help lessen the possibility of my children dealing with depression. I knew that they had a predisposition for the condition, I needed to set a good example of how to handle it.

How to Parent With Depression

First, ask for help. There is a huge stigma against mental illness in this country, but there shouldn't be. If you were diagnosed with diabetes, would you be ashamed of your diagnosis? Depression, or any mental illness, is nothing to be ashamed of. The sooner you seek help, the less of an impact your depression will have on your family. 

Explain to your child's doctor your condition and ask if they have any specific advice. Your child's pediatrician may suggest therapy or counseling for your child, if your depression has caused ripples in the family unit. Regardless, your child's doctor should be aware of your condition so that they are able to keep watch for symptoms of the condition in your child. 

One of my epiphany moments was when I pulled my car over to watch the sun go down. It was a gorgeous sunset in the autumn, and I found such joy from simply watching the sun go down. When you suffer from depression it can be hard to find joy, so it's important to stop and enjoy those few moments of happiness that you find. Eventually those few moments of happiness get larger and longer and you find that you're able to enjoy life. Being a happy parent allows you to give your best to your children, which is all any parent wants.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Owings Mills, Md.