I found a study today on how children of depressed mothers are affected. The study interviewed adults who had lived or were living with a depressed parent.

Turns out, we kids are throught to be at increased risk of psychopathology and disturbed relationships.

Here is a link to the study, that’s it for today but tomorrow more will follow on this topic.

My mother is clinically depressed, and has been on and off for as long as I can remember. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was depressed before I was born, and she probably had PPD without even knowing it. Now we’re 20-some years ahead, and living with a depressed parent brings many challenges.

According to my therapist I’m not depressed, but I do think I am a “depression cameleon”; whenever my mother has a good day, I have a good day. When she has a bad day, mine couldn’t be worse. I suck up part of her sadness and internalize it, simply because I do not know how to built a shell to protect myself against these negative feelings.