My brother's therapist says the he is suffering from depression. He is 13 (I am 15) and my mum thinks that it was caused by my (now 5 year old) sister when she was born because she took the attention away from him. I can't help but shake the feeling that I helped cause it because... let's just say I wasn't that nice to him all the time...
I need some advice on helping him out of depression and for me to stop thinking I caused it because my mum says I didn't.
2007-09-28 05:55:32 · 11 answers · asked by 4d93 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Your brothers depression is NOT your fault, nor is it your baby sister's fault...
Depression can be caused by a chemical imbalance of the brain, as well as a life situation.
Dont worry about the cause, just be supportive of your brother. Do things together sometimes... if he talks about things, just listen.. remind him you love him once in a while.
If your mother thnks your little sister "took the attention away from him" it was because your mother did not make time to spend with your brother. Parents need to MAKE TIME to be with their kids...
You can forget about the "blame". Your brother is in therapy and that ought to help. I hope he improves.. take care, hon.
2007-09-28 06:20:12 · answer #1 · answered by letterstoheather 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depression is typically due to a chemical imbalance in the brain or possibly prolonged exposure to some type of abuse.
Lack of attention is not necessarily abuse, unless your brother was locked in a closet 23 hours a day. I can't think of any siblings that were nice to eachother 100% of the time.
If your brother is clinically depressed, medication would help. Also having a friend to talk to may also help. Just being there to listen to him may be the best thing you can do for him. Try and get him interested in things that you do, allow him to take part. Or get interested in the things that he likes. Ask him how he's doing. If he seems down, show serious interest in knowing why he is feeling that way. If it is attention that he is lacking, showing him the attention (especially as the bigger cool brother) may just do the trick!
2007-09-28 13:07:47 · answer #2 · answered by Far from home 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depression is the "common cold" of mental illness. It can be bad, but also very common. And unless you are a brilliant genius who is able to sneak into your brother's room at night and alter his brain chemistry, you didn't cause it.
What normal kid is "all that nice" to their brother all the time? If you were allowed to get away with things you shouldn't have, that is on your mom and dad, not you. Though its good that you recognize room for improvement. You clearly have a conscience; ditch the guilt, live a good life. You are not responsible for your brother. You have plenty to do just learning to look after yourself: stay out of trouble, do your homework, keep a small circle of good friends, develop skills and interests. Do those things and everything else will fall into place.
2007-09-28 13:22:00 · answer #3 · answered by Millie M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only your brother knows what caused or where his depression came from. You could always ask him if you did anything to make him feel bad and then apologize if you did. As for helping him, I am sure he would want you to treat him as normal. But again, you can ask him if there is anything that you can do to help him with his depression. Most people who have depression just need someone to not judge them and treat them as normally as possible. With close family though they might need some extra support to be able to talk about their bad feelings or a shoulder to lean on in case they need to have a cry. But your parents are there too for your brother for those things.
2007-09-28 14:28:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All older siblings do mean things to the younger ones, thats normal, I was the youngest so I got it a lot. They say it's hard for the middle child.
http://wvwv.essortment.com/whatismiddlec_rsoe.htm
I think if you try to spend some time with him doing some things together you both enjoy would be good for him. Let him know your there for him if he needs to talk. If you find yourself being mean occasionally try to compliment him when you can so he's getting more positive reinforcement than negative overall from you. Don't treat him like he's a special case, act normal but be more considerate. He just needs to feel equal, worthy, and loved.
2007-09-28 13:24:49 · answer #5 · answered by hamylett 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try and make him open up about it, to you. It'll bring you closer together and you seem like a nice person, i doubt you caused his depression, its more to do with how he REACTS with things in his life than what those things actually are.
2007-09-28 13:05:17 · answer #6 · answered by Beans 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
aw! you sound like a good brother. now at least. A lot of people just wouldn't care at all. If it was me, I'd let him know: "I care, and I'm there." Being there for him, listening, letting him know you love him & care, should also help you to feel better.
2007-09-28 13:11:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would have to say is that the best thing to do in your situation is spend a little bit more quality time with him...play some sports, go to the movies, hang out, and just talk to one another, connect with him...i was in a similar situation and things btween my brother and i are pretty chill now...just show him that you care and love him!
2007-09-28 13:04:52 · answer #8 · answered by but_it_was_funny_huh 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
all you can do is be there 4 ur brother, give him lots of hugs n let him no u are always gona be there 4 him. take him out n keep him occupied. also let him no u n your family love him
2007-09-28 13:06:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prozac, Lexipro, Paxil, or Zoloft. These are just a few..there are many, many more!!
2007-09-28 13:05:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋