This has taken me a while to get off my chest. I am 21 years old and I feel like I am carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. For years (partly due to the relationship that I have had with my father) I have suffered from clinical depression. Recently though, I have discovered that my father, has been diagnosed as well. Things have only gotten worse over the past couple years. He continues to victimize himself, and live in the past. His anger is outragous and uncontrolable, he gets upset at harmless things, and it seems as though he is far gone. I am at the point where it is hard for me to leave to go back to college because I am afraid that my father is going to make a rash decision based on his uncontrolable emotions. My two sisters and mother have refused my pleas for an intervention because they don't want to deal with his reaction. and rather not face the fact that my father has a problem. I am at my last straw, the disease that is dibilitating my father is starting to get the best of me. If anyone has any advice as what to do next I would greatly appreciate it.

Hi!
First things first, take care of your self! Get in to therapy/couseling, it helps! Especially when one can find a kind supportive counseler!

Geting ahold of depression pamfets and giving them to your mom and sister may help them better understand the condition. Your dad may have additional undiagnosed mental health conditions.

If your dad poses a danger to others or to self call 911 and they will get him the help he needs!

Good Luck!

Your not Alone!!!!!!!

I agree! Make sure to take care of yourself first and foremost. You can't control your father.

Finishing college was one of the best things for me to do because it allowed me to have my own life instead of always worrying about my parents. Your dad is an adult and is responsible for his own happiness. If he chooses not to help himself, of course you will feel sad but try not to feel guilty or overextend yourself.

Best of luck!

hi...i agree with the other two posts...and would add in addition to seeking out help for yourself via a counsellor, therapist, and/or minister/clergy/rabbi, etc., that it is important that you take the best care of yourself that you can. this means, getting enough sleep, eating well, and getting regular exercise. exercise does help fight depression! so does writing! write our your feelings, talk to a therapist, build a network of loving, supporting friends. yoga has been known to help to, as does massage. there are so many things you can do naturally -- find what works best for you.

you taking care of yourself can be a great catalyst for change in your whole family situation.

build up your inner-strength -- develop and/or practice your faith, turn to God, or whatever your belief system is, write a gratitude list every day of what you are grateful for...focus on the things that make you happy and feel good about yourself. go slow, be gentle with yourself, and take things one day at a time. you've already made the first step by asking others for help! Good luck, take care, and God bless! I've been there, and I am doing the same for myself! :) You are not alone.