Post
by kteague » Mon Feb 11, 2008 10:03 am
Wow, this thread sure helps me put things in perspective. I can't imagine facing horrific situations starting at a place of depression (and under the effects of OSA). What a testimony to the strength of those who feel they are weak!
Overall, I have enjoyed life and believe life is good even though it is sometimes hard. The times I have struggled to maintain that optimism were clearly situational depression, and/or medication/health influenced. I can't imagine having that dark struggle every day of life.
There was a period of time in my early 20's when the darkness almost won. With 5 year old and 2 day old daughters, I had to face the murder of my husband. Even now I say to myself, "Yeah, well, people lose someone all the time. It's just a part of life." But I faced this with intense post-partum hormonal effect, and heavily medicated by well meaning doctors. There were sleeping pills, wakeup pills, nerve pills, pain pills. The hardest part to live with was the regret that our last words were an arguement, and my words hurt him deeply. My words caused him to alter his schedule that day, otherwise he would have been at the hospital with me at the time it happened. The regret was nearly unbearable, and I came frighteningly close to doing things unthinkable in my normal state of mind. I was suicidal and homicidal only briefly, but it took at least a couple years to not feel a magnetic pull to drive off every bridge or speed into each passing pole on the highway. But I had made a decision that I wanted the girls and I to live, and to live a good life. And I had rehearsed that life statement, so when the dark compulsions appeared, I was able to say, "These are not my feelings, as they are not in line with my choices for my life. They are of another influence and have no place in my present or future." Someone had told me once that you can't stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can stop it from building a nest in your hair. Being intentional about reining in the negative thoughts was necessary to my emotional healing.
Blessings to those who have chosen to be transparent and thus vulnerable. I'm guessing someone will read this thread who will feel less alone in their struggles, and will find hope in stories of "how I've got over".
ColinP, I suggest you limit the detailed exposure your children have to your current situation. Images imbedded in the mind are not necessary nor are they beneficial in any way.
Kathy