[Anna]

Hi Runningfree,

I am really sorry for the way you feel about yourself. I have to say that I had many of the very same feelings for decades, but several years ago I was lucky enough to find an antidepressant that worked for me. And, I know I am lucky for that. First of all, have you tried different meds because it took me 3 different meds and then 3 different doses to get it right. So, before you give up on medication, make sure you have tried a few different ones.

And, as far as your children are concerned, I'm sure you're a very good mother. None of us is perfect and all of us put things onto our children that we wish we hadn't. My kids are 26 and 24 and sometimes I still look back and wish I had been more this and less that. Sometimes I see things in them that come directly from me and I wish they didn't have that to deal with. But, I did do the best I could do at the time, the very best. And, they are individuals with their own paths to follow and their own lessons to learn in this lifetime. I'm sure you have done your best and try to understand that your kids can not go through life being happy all the time and having no character flaws. That just doesn't happen.

You've made a long list of things you don't like about yourself. Can you make a list of things about yourself that you do like?

Be kind to yourself.

Love, Anna