How do I deal with severe depression?

Gospelgirl, I'm going to wave my magic wand and make you disappear (temporarily LOL). How much would your cousin be paying for childcare if they had to use a day care or even just hire the local teen sitter? What about your Auntie, could she realistically stay in her own home without support? What would she be paying her caregivers, how much additional money would she be spending each month if she went to assistive living?
You seem to be saying they are doing you a favour by allowing you to live with your Aunt so of course you should be cooking and cleaning etc, yet you have stated you gave up paid employment and your independence to move in with her, so who is doing the favours?

Hi Gospel Girl!

I hope you are getting the help you need. I have a tendency to take on everything, put myself behind others, get into unfair situations where you could say I am being used. Please don't feel you are all alone in that! I think it is a personality trait.. for me it is anyway. This is something I am aware of in myself and am trying to work on.

When we get into these situations we just start thinking more and more I HAVE to do XYZ.. without examining.. why. Why do you have to time and again put others over yourself..could there be any alternatives or solutions? You shouldn't have to put your life completely on hold.

I know its hard to set boundaries and put yourself first for once. You are worth so much more than you are giving yourself credit. Your health and happiness matter just as much as your aunts or your cousin.. believe it! Don't let this take over your life!

Maybe we need a workshop on how to set boundaries.. I know I would sign up! :)

If you feel it is truly depression then talk to your doctor. If you are just frustrated because of your life situation right now then I think we have covered this ground before on this site. If you have made the choice to give up your life for your Aunt and cousin then you need to acknowledge that to yourself and find ways to enjoy life despite the hardship. If on the other hand you feel compelled to provide a level of care that you have not agreed to or are comfortable with then you need to set boundaries and speak up.
As for the 11 yr old, I mentioned before that it is inappropriate for him to be babysitting a toddler while his parents work. I am glad you are willing to help out sometimes, but cousin needs to own up to parenthood and PAY for appropriate care when she is out.

Why do you think we're angry with you? And why not re- schedule your Aunt's appointment? Seems like a logical thing to do. If she says you have to cancel yours you say "oh, I couldn't possibly do that!" Practise it in front of the mirror.

Hey Gospel Girl, I hope you are doing OK...Please don't wait to get help for yourself...a counselor, some meds, etc. Let us know how you are doing...depression can really cause major issues and you certainly have enough going on to cause it.... I found a counselor and a care giver support group have made a big difference for myself.

And I agree with KatieKay - we need a workshop on setting boundaries...

Gospel, how are you doing today? Have you called to make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your mental state? Don't let this fester.

Oh Gospelgirl, nobody is angry with you, we just want you to wake up and smell the coffee. From the outside looking in it seems that you are allowing yourself to be used in a deplorable way, and it doesn't even seem that they are grateful for what you have sacrificed for them. At the very least you need to establish firmer boundaries with Auntie and POA cousin. How many hour/days of respite do you get a week? I think Auntie should be able to qualify for some bathing assistance etc that would give you at least a few hours personal time a week. No one should be expected to do it all, and it sounds as though you are putting your own health at risk.

So, GG, CA took the words out of my mouth. Your family appears to be casting you as the incapable idiot who can't take care of herself and needs to be taken in by family. So she is "pitied" enough that they allow her to make herself useful with the drudge work of child care and eldercare, but without the compensation that anyone in their right mind would de (com)mand. Clearly, you are intelligent, educated and have a work history. You had some troubles with your apartment 20 years ago, and Aunt uses whatever difficulties you had to keep your self esteem low (wonder what her parenting skills were like? Two children dead from addiction?).

And when you attempt to get yourself to the doctor to discuss these issues, family pressures don't allow you to go. Hmmm. Very interesting. They have apparently reinstated slavery in whatever state you live in. You are "allowed" to live there but must do the world THEY want you to without regard to what you want.

That's what it looks like from here. Maybe you can retell this tale so that it doesn't sound like you're being abused.

In my corner of the world, I would tell you that you need to find a therapist to undo the damage that has been done to your ego. You might need antidepressants to help you, short term. But your family should be shunned and shamed for using you.

GG, what keeps YOU there? Are you being paid for your caregiving, housekeeping and babysitting services? And if not,why not?

Your Aunt is only "independent " because you are there. Something you need to keep in mind.

I'm not being paid; POA and I trade favors like rides to the doctor or hairdresser for the babysitting, although she will pay me sometimes if I really need to pay an important bill (she's paid my cellphone bill for me before). She and her boyfriend don't make that much money, so I try not to ask too often. The housekeeping is something I would have to do anyway as a member of the household-- I just have the added responsibility of the chores that she USED to do when she was well along with my own.