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self destructing for 45 years

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I'm 45 and my life is falling apart. I've been married for 17 years and have two beautiful sons. My wife is a wonderful person who has tried and tried to make me happy and has only emotional scars to show for it. My early life is where my problems seemed to have started. My mother is hard to put into words. She was larger than life and ,i can only describe her as utterly preoccupied with herself. My father was a busy doctor who did his best to be there for my brother and me. I still have a good relationship with him. My mom, however, I haven't seen in 12 years. To make a long story short,I became everything she was, harsh, mean,selfish,manipulative, a veritable emotional sociopath. I have hurt my wife to the point where she is numbed to my existance. I have lied to her, kept her from ever getting inside me, and I fear, caused her to stop loving me. I'm seeking professional help but there's just so much to look at. Where does one go to get back your childhood?
My mom made me feel like a useless lump most of my life. Her love was always conditional and I spent all my time wondering if I had done something wrong. I think I became a real chameleon around people just so I could feel liked.To this day I don't trust any one to any degree when it comes to real personal relationships. i have one real friend(for 25 years,he to is "damaged
"by his upbringing.) As you can see, there is much on my plate. Someone tell me there's a light at the end of the tunnel. I cannot believe the pain I've caused or feel.
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replied October 29th, 2009
Experienced User
We often spend a great deal of time focusing on our past, the problem is we cannot change what has happened. We can however change what it will mean to us from this moment on. The past can only determine our future if we allow ourselves to live there. When we think of situations we cannot change, it tends to bring our mood down. If we do this often, it causes depression and a feeling of helplessness. Break out of that trap by only thinking upon that which we want, and only allow the past to tell us what not to do.

You have a great opportunity to change your situation, today, take it. Cultivate gratitude, for you have a lot to be grateful for, even if it may seem otherwise. Your wife has not left you, this is a sign that she still loves you. Having a wife that loves you is a great gift, worthy of all manner of gratefulness.

Go back to a time where you felt joy, remember it, feel it as if it were happening now. Keep your thoughts focused upon that feeling.

Understand that all negative feelings are only actions signals. They are designed to help you improve, and they only have the power that we give them. Devote no energy to them, other than recognizing the message they bring.

Celebrate your life, and live like today is your last day, and you will find what is already within you, joy and passion.
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