My Uber-Dub sister is depressed !

by wobble 16 Replies latest social family

• 

  wobble

  Despite being in what she insisted to me was "the best way of life" my oldest sister has a bad case of depression.

  I know on here, JWN, we tend to almost laugh at the number of Dubs who suffer from depression, and blame the Cult , which attitude may have a good deal of truth in it, I still feel that I would like to help her in some way and do not know for sure how to.

  Getting her out of the Cult is not going to happen, and any lessening of her blind faith I feel would be dangerous for her.

  Can any of you good folk on here offer any advice. ???

  The trigger for her problem is the fact that her husband is seriously ill, and may not pull through, but I believe she must have an underlying problem that the present circumstance has brought to the surface. And she needs to be a positive support for him at this time, and cannot be.

  Here in the U.K the family Doctor tends to prescribe some pills and see how you get on, if you don't top yourself, you can go back and he might try some more or different pills,beyond that not much is offered.

  Ideas?

  Thanks,

  Love,

  Wobble
• 

  bohm

  pm
• 

  dozy

  " The trigger for her problem is the fact that her husband is seriously ill, and may not pull through. "

  That would be enough to depress anyone , in fairness. Maybe best not to mention to her that the WTBTS says they won't be married in the new system.

  Though I'm not a big fan of pills , in cases like this there may well be a case for short term anti-depressants , which can remove anxiety. Plenty of fresh air , exercise etc as well.
• 

  blondie

  I feel said for her but am afraid that all she will be told is:

  1) Go out in field service more

  2) Don't miss any meetings

  3) Pray more

  4) Read your bible WT publications more

  So why can't some jw help her by being a positive support themselves?????
• 

  isaacaustin

  May I ask a stupid question? What does uber mean?
• 

  VIII

  Uber=The best, nothing is better than, the top

  Anti-Depressants work as well as sugar pills and are a lot more expensive. Perhaps not in the UK, but, here in the States, they are. :-0

  I'll find a link.

  As noted, trying to get someone depressed to get up and exercise is like getting a potato up and baking itself. Ain't gonna happen.

  So, you might as well get her some drugs.

  Just being there for her to talk to could really help her also. Her being a dub, she might not talk much, however, being a woman, that could change everything.

  http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/home/content/article/10Just168/1520550?verify=0

  Wishing you and she the best. And your BIL also.
• 

  xcellxior

  Uber normally means "really" or "very much"

  For example if I said I was uber strong i would mean I was really strong.

  Think the OP is just highlighting the sister is a real strong JW maybe?

  "The way of the truth, is the best way of living, no better way can there be found"

  Clearly not for many unfortunately they can never do enough and they are blamed for their feelings of inadequacy not the wonderful FDS with its continual, "Do more do more when you have done more do some more after that..."
• 

  Tuesday

  Tell her to go see a psychotherapist. Regardless of whether she wants to stay in the religion or not, if she's depressed and you're worried you should try to get her some professional help.

  Tell her that you're worried about her safety because you can see she's depressed, tell her that you'd like to see her seek some therapy for depression. If she asks about them trying to change her religion or whatever just tell her that usually they just talk about the root cause of the depression, if it's not the religion causing it then the religion will never come up.
• 

  leavingwt

  You can provide unconditional love and support.
• 

  wobble

  Thanks all,

  good suggestions and positive help, I really appreciate it. She has spent 66 years in the Cult and it does not help her at all to cope with where she finds herself now.

  The problem with expecting other Dubs to help is two-fold, firstly they could not count the time, and secondly she has not been the best of help to people who were depressed themselves in the past, she used to go and read the watchtower to them !

  I am surprised the poor sods didn't top themselves ! She is also very judgemental and did not appreciate the nature of depression, blamed it on a lack of "spiritual activities" , so I can understand people not being too sympathetic.

  Thanks again for your help and good wishes, I will try to do what I can for the poor soul.

  Love

  Wobble