Anxiety and Depression

Help with depression

Q: My daughter-in-law has been diagnosed with post-natal depression. She has two children under 3. My son is a loving husband but works long hours. My wife and I are semi-retired and want to know what we can do to help her without interfering.

A: Good on you for being so willing to support your daughter-in-law as she recovers from this debilitating illness. Reassure her that many women go through this and she will come out of it. I expect she’s receiving counselling, but if not, perhaps you could suggest it.

If you can mind the children on a regular basis to give her a break, it will help her. Encourage her to talk to you about how she is feeling, without pushing it, and reassure her that you are both 'there for her'. Many women feel ashamed of how they are feeling, and desperately need a sympathetic ear. Tell her she can't help it.

You could perhaps gift her a copy of my book, 15 Steps to Overcome Anxiety and Depression.  Depression and anxiety are fed by tension and stress, and she will be experiencing these now. Relaxation is one of the major tools to overcome both depression and anxiety. My CD, Learning to Relax will help her learn how to relax. Daily practice almost always gets results. Good on you for caring so much.

 

Stress is driving me crazy

Q: I have a partner, two teenagers and a part-time job. I used to cope well but lately I’ve felt like I’m on a treadmill and can’t get off. Life seems like a huge list of things that need doing. I can’t sleep, feel on edge, and can’t concentrate. 

A: For a start, there may be ways you can reduce your workload. If you do all the household chores, it may be helpful to examine why you let this happen. Have you talked to your family about giving you the help you need? It’s usually not the demands of life that stress us, but the way we deal with them. Getting balance in your life is key. Set aside time to exercise. Build fun and laughter into your day! I’ve found that relaxation is the most effective tool to reduce stress and keep on top of it. My Learning to Relax will teach you how. Set aside time just for you, in a quiet space and simply follow my instructions.

Iris welcomes your questions but cannot give you personal answers or guarantee that your question will be answered on this website. Questions may be edited to protect the writer’s identity. Responses should under no circumstances replace medical, counselling, legal or other appropriate professional advice.