My Auntie is in her mid seventies. She had a transient ischaemic attack (mini stroke) this past summer. It passed quickly and within a couple of days she was back to normal. She was absolutely fine for about a fortnight and then started to become depressed. Within a couple of weeks she had gone to the doctor and been put on both sleeping tablets (which haven't helped her to sleep) and anti-depressants (since when she has become more depressed). She is frightened of being alone, has made her husband give up his part-time job, she won't even get up in the night if she can't sleep because she doesn't want to be on her own (even though her husband would be in bed in the next room). She is worried about everything, from the most silly minor things (the living room wants painting) to how she would cope if her husband (perfectly healthy) died.
We can't interest her in anything. It is as if she wants to wallow in feeling miserable. She tells us over and over all the reasons she has for feeling like this, but she doesn't seem to have any desire to NOT feel like it, if you see what I mean.

I know some of my friends here suffer with/have suffered with depression. What can I do for my Auntie? Is there anything that helps? I feel like I am watching my beloved favourite Auntie wither away in a sort of decline.

Honey