[beth]

As a group, women are more likely to suffer from mental health problems than men. Depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, to name a few, are far more prevalent among women, often for very good reasons. I'd like to take this opportunity to invite you all to visit the new Mental Health blog at Families. Just click on the link below, and you'll fnd continuing articles on a range of mental health issues pertinent to women - and their families too! If you have any issues you would like discussed on the Mental Health blog, just contact me through Families and I will make sure to include your interests on the blog. I hope you all enjoy reading it! Best wishes, Beth

[Poleczech]

My husband and I experienced 15 years of infertility before I had to have a total hysterectomy. During that time, my parents were not very supportive of us. Depression hit me very hard after about 10 years of it. I'm not saying it didn't exist before that point, but I got to a point where I couldn't even get through a day without crying, I couldn't be happy for all my friends who were getting pregnant, and my relationships with my friends and family were starting to suffer. The best thing that ever happened to me was when my doctor referred me to a counselor and prescribed a mild andidepressant. At first, I couldn't bring myself to make the first phone call to set up the appointment -- my father drilled into my head that depression didn't exist and that seeing a psychiatrist or any other counselor was just wrong. I finally made the phone call after about a month, and the first few sessions, I think I went through a box of tissue. I didn't tell my parents I was in therapy, but I was able to deal with a lot of the issues head on, and my counselor helped me learn how to deal with the varied emotions I was feeling, validated my emotions (which was more helpful than anyone can known), and helped me get through one of the most difficult times in my life. I am a much better person for having gone through it, and I would recommend it for anyone dealing with difficult life events -- we all need a little help now and then, and there is no shame in asking for help!

[beth]

Originally Posted by Poleczech

My husband and I experienced 15 years of infertility before I had to have a total hysterectomy. During that time, my parents were not very supportive of us. Depression hit me very hard after about 10 years of it. I'm not saying it didn't exist before that point, but I got to a point where I couldn't even get through a day without crying, I couldn't be happy for all my friends who were getting pregnant, and my relationships with my friends and family were starting to suffer. The best thing that ever happened to me was when my doctor referred me to a counselor and prescribed a mild andidepressant. At first, I couldn't bring myself to make the first phone call to set up the appointment -- my father drilled into my head that depression didn't exist and that seeing a psychiatrist or any other counselor was just wrong. I finally made the phone call after about a month, and the first few sessions, I think I went through a box of tissue. I didn't tell my parents I was in therapy, but I was able to deal with a lot of the issues head on, and my counselor helped me learn how to deal with the varied emotions I was feeling, validated my emotions (which was more helpful than anyone can known), and helped me get through one of the most difficult times in my life. I am a much better person for having gone through it, and I would recommend it for anyone dealing with difficult life events -- we all need a little help now and then, and there is no shame in asking for help!

Thanks for sharing your story with the forum, it certainly is a positive ending to what was a long and difficult time for you and your husband. Having family members who are unsupportive because they do not understand is also painful, and adds to the depression. It's great that you were able to find a therapist who obviously said all the right things you needed to hear, who enabled you to cry, express yourself, and then start healing. Having gone through that experience, you are now in a position to reassure others, and urge them to obtain whatever help they need. As you say, you are certainly a better person for having gone through the experience. Beth