Fighting Depression and PTSD for his kids.

As the victim of an aggravated armed robbery when I was a teenager (14 years ago) I received multiple traumas to the head. This resulted in years of rehab to regain, among many things, normalcy of speech and behaviour. Unfortunately it also left me with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression and anxiety disorders. Now, I am married and have two beautiful children (5 and 2). I have only been working full-time for the past 8 years which has been a struggle - in this time I have held 6 jobs and each of these has resulted in severe depressive episodes. Over a year ago I suffered a major mental breakdown and then 6 months ago my father suffered a major stroke which led me to have another major depressive episode.

I love my family. They are amazing and support me. I wish I could support them better - the way a father/husband should be able to. I struggle with temper, anxiety, sleep problems, irritability, mood and appetite, motivation and both physical and mental fatigue; not to mention, being unemployed for over a year has made it particularly tough while trying to raise children. If I can raise enough money to fix-up my house a little bit I could start an at-home business with my wife (an award-winning professional dog-groomer before we had children.) Then I can be there physically for my kids while supporting my wife to earn an income doing what she loves and is great at while I can avoid having commit to the work force and subjecting myself to pressures and obligations that I physically and mentally can't handle or cope with.

I'm on various medications and have seen various counsellors and mental health professionals; but this doesn't take away the anxiety or depression. Mental illness is a real, physical condition - it affects your entire body chemistry: stomach and gut problems, blood pressure, nausea, migraines, fatigue and lethargy, dizzy spells - these are some of the things I have put up with for the past 14 years on a daily basis.

Please help me to help my family. Every little bit will help put my household back in the right direction.

Thank you for your time and for your support.