Can you suffer from anxiety and depression and still be a good parent

[Happylittlebluebird]

I feel that there is such a stigma here. That parents with MH issues are automatically terrible parents.

I hope so...but I have to say my DM’s mental health issues have stayed with me. Will be interested to hear from others on this one. Sorry not really answering the question! But one I ask myself too.

Really? I know lots of parents (myself included) who have anxiety and/or depression and have never questioned their parenting for this reason.
Personally it's something I am aware of as to how it may impact my kids but i dont think it makes me a bad parent.

I feel like it's so common now, no one would think that
And there is a huge difference in the severity of depression and anxiety

I think so, yes. You just have to try and manage it like any other long-term condition. It’s important to try and get help and have the resources to deal with when it gets bad.
I personally went to therapy for 2 years for my social and general anxiety, prior to my son being born. Therapy gave me the skills to recognise when my anxiety is bad and deal with it.
In some ways I’m almost glad for my anxiety because it makes me consider everything, and while I do have a habit of overthinking, it means I’m prepared for many different scenarios.
My son is a healthy and happy 14 month old, so I still feel new enough at being a parent to not pat myself on the back too hard, but I think I’m doing a good job.
I don’t generally suffer with depression, but I know people who have, and they’re good parents.

My dad had depression and anxiety. He was very grumpy at times but an excellent parent. I have had loads of bouts of mental ill health, I'm raising awesome kids, with DH who has robust mental health (he's had bouts of depression but since the children came along, not particularly long lasting or severe).
I do worry that one child seems a bit prone to anxiety. The other doesn't.
I always treat my illness as a project I have to engage with. It won't go away on its own, so change the pill, take vit D, engage in counselling, antidepressants, exercise, breathing exercises, eat right. It's exhausting but I tell myself to do it for my kids. I prioritise not becoming suicidal because that really would harm my kids.

@Love51 Aw that's great to read! I still mostly keep it together despite huge ongoing trauma in my life, but the fact that very occasionally I get a bit stressed or sad in front of my kids makes me a bad mum.

*feel like