When I first approached my dad asking for his support in my illness I have to be honest and say he was less than able to give me what I needed from my family unit.

A very good man with high morals, a very proud person yet he was unable to comprehend what it was I was asking of him.

The more I have searched information and listened to other people I have become to realise this really is quite normal.

How could you possibly help support anybody in any situation when you are not aware what it is they require from you, it isn’t as simple as lending someone money or supporting them in a more obvious way.

Over time I have become more and more aware that if my dad doesn’t have the information on my illness and the knowledge of what I will need from him to support me, then I wasn’t going to get it.

Awareness of Depression and Anxiety is higher now than when I was first diagnosed but I am more than aware that the information for people supporting someone with this illness isn’t always readily available.

Searching online and speaking to my councillor made me realise it wasn’t my fathers fault he wasn’t really supporting me it was that he needed to know what it was I require from him.

I find my dad is a lot better with me now although he still struggles himself sometimes but anyone would as this illness takes it’s toll on everyone involved.

But my life is made that bit easier every time I sit down with my dad and chat about how I am feeling and just take the time to just enjoy the interaction too, otherwise I could quite easily shut myself away sometimes.