I shall try (but probably fail) to keep this short: DMIL suffers from depression. It seems to come in cycles and it usually takes 'just' 6 months or so of anti depressants to get her out of each slump.
Since I have known her she's had 3 of these slumps and is currently going into another. The normal progression is increasing negativity, paranoia, hypochondria and insomnia. It always ends in complete meltdown, generally with DFIL, DSIL and DH all 'giving up on her' to varying degrees before she finally has her meltdown, acknowledges the slump and gets help. This has been the pattern since DH's school days. We have all gently tried to suggest visiting the doctor, but the paranoia seems to stop her. It's not her, it's us. If we just all did X Y Z she'd be fine. You get the idea.
She starts to pick herself up quite quickly when she does get help, it's just so heartbreaking (not to mention bloody draining!) waiting for her get to that point.
Sorry if this comes across as not very sympathetic, she is a lovely lady who does not deserve to suffer like this. Unfortunately though, as much as I love her, I am coming away from all our encounters feeling mentally battered and exhausted and I know it's only going to get worse.
Any ideas?