**SERIOUS QUESTION** I witnessed Domestic Violence when I was younger and I still do today- Am I depressed?

Question

I have witnessed domestic violence by my dad to my mom since I was born. I just moved back home from college and its still going on. Now she is an alcoholic and he's still an asshole - I used to get involved but now I just don't care anymore. That feeling makes me upset with myself but I called the cops once and she didn't even try to change her ways even though she could she has a huge family overseas in europe and she never even tried - its like she doesnt even care what my sister and I feel. Now that I'm back and its happening again I feel so stressed and apatheic all the time - I wasn't like this in college at all. My whole family situation just makes me so upset. If I don't cry myself to sleep I'll take sleeping pills. I feel so dull and worthless in life...I studied psychology so I pretty much know that I am depressed, anxiety disorder and ptsd...I know what I should do - move out but I can't (i have a younger sister). Is there anyone else out there like me who I can talk to?

Answer 1

I agree with the first answerer that professional counselling is potentially a good choice. (In the US it's usually called psychotherapy.) But myself I would say hopefully NOT from someone who will offer you pills rather than their heart and ears. You have some very understandable and lovely compassion for your mom and loyalty to your younger sister. These are real sterling qualities in you. You also say you feel worthless, which is no doubt influenced by growing up in this family -- you can think of, for example, how does your dad hold women in general? If you can afford it, you could look for a person-centered or other humanistic therapist in your area who can help you with warmhearted empathic psychotherapy.

Light to you:-)

Answer 2

You need to seek counselling. They may even put you on meds. Clinical depression is a disorder within the brain and needs to be treated by therapy and meds.

Your mom is probably clinically depressed as well which is why she hasn't left the situation. Victims of domestic abuse often have feelings of despair and worthlessnes. That is why they often stay with the abuser, as they think there is nothing else out there.

If you don't resolve your sitation now, you may likely never have a good relationship in the future.