Page 21 - index
P. 21
W e came to the US when I was 17. I got married four years later and my
husband started behaving strangely soon after our wedding. He would get
angry for no reason and start arguing with everyone. I couldn‘t understand
what was happening. I had to carry on paying the loan for our house and look
after my three-year-old son. I also worked 30 hours a week at a supermarket.
Once my in-laws came to stay with us, my husband gave up on all work and
started sleeping the whole day. I wasn‘t allowed to say anything to him. My
brother-in-law and other members of his family thought that I had done
something to make him ill. I couldn‘t talk to anyone about my feelings.
I wasn‘t allowed to see a counsellor. But one day, I met a counsellor who said I
could see her any time I wanted to. I cried my eyes out and told her
everything. After going through his reports, she told me that my husband has
schizophrenia and it will take lots of care and counselling and regular
medicine to treat him. Afterwards, I was able to be firm with my husband and
make sure that he took his medicines and ate properly. Luckily, he got better
and is now working.
This whole episode affected my son as well. He went through depression when
he was in the second year of college. Today, he is married and has one
daughter. In the middle, I went through depression too and even attempted
suicide. I survived with urgent medical help.
At last, we are all living happily. We have been married for 40 years and are
enjoying the company of my granddaughter. Everything is possible as long as
we understand each other and are kind, honest and helpful.
-Anar
M y father-in-law suddenly went into deep depression five years ago. His
whole life, he had been in a very good position. He had no money problems
and he has a good relationship with his wife. He goes walking and swimming
and has a good social life.
18
husband started behaving strangely soon after our wedding. He would get
angry for no reason and start arguing with everyone. I couldn‘t understand
what was happening. I had to carry on paying the loan for our house and look
after my three-year-old son. I also worked 30 hours a week at a supermarket.
Once my in-laws came to stay with us, my husband gave up on all work and
started sleeping the whole day. I wasn‘t allowed to say anything to him. My
brother-in-law and other members of his family thought that I had done
something to make him ill. I couldn‘t talk to anyone about my feelings.
I wasn‘t allowed to see a counsellor. But one day, I met a counsellor who said I
could see her any time I wanted to. I cried my eyes out and told her
everything. After going through his reports, she told me that my husband has
schizophrenia and it will take lots of care and counselling and regular
medicine to treat him. Afterwards, I was able to be firm with my husband and
make sure that he took his medicines and ate properly. Luckily, he got better
and is now working.
This whole episode affected my son as well. He went through depression when
he was in the second year of college. Today, he is married and has one
daughter. In the middle, I went through depression too and even attempted
suicide. I survived with urgent medical help.
At last, we are all living happily. We have been married for 40 years and are
enjoying the company of my granddaughter. Everything is possible as long as
we understand each other and are kind, honest and helpful.
-Anar
M y father-in-law suddenly went into deep depression five years ago. His
whole life, he had been in a very good position. He had no money problems
and he has a good relationship with his wife. He goes walking and swimming
and has a good social life.
18
