PriThe departure of the elderly affects people in many ways. Sometimes even our mental state may be wrong in that emptiness. In such a way, a woman tells the story of her mental breakdown following the death of her friend. The woman shares her experience through the social media page Humans of Bombay.
She says that her friend died in a fire when her baby was three months old and later she could not even touch the baby. She clarified in the note that she used to tell her mother that the baby was burning and her hand would burn when she touched it.
“I gave birth to a baby girl 18 years ago. My husband and I were very anxious. After giving birth, I stayed at home. Her husband comes to see her from time to time. I believed that I was happy and at peace in every way. Meanwhile, my close friend died in a fire when the baby was three months old. He was the happiest friend when I was pregnant.
Her death devastated me. I lost my mind. I don’t remember anything that happened that day clearly. But mother told me everything later. When I returned home after seeing her for the last time, I refused to touch the baby. I was angry just to see my baby. Every time I saw her, I turned my face away. ‘I will not touch her, my hand will burn,’ I exclaimed. Everyone in the house got scared seeing my condition.
I didn’t eat and I didn’t want to take a bath. My mother always sat by my bed so that I would not go out at night. He also started to self-harm. My condition was getting worse. With this, my mother took me to the hospital for treatment. First, my husband came to the hospital and saw me and the baby. But later he did not show much interest in coming to the hospital. Two years later we had another boy. But he distanced himself from that child. It was then that I found out that my husband was having another affair. I was devastated. I felt all was lost.
But I forgave him for the sake of my children. But no big deal. He always goes out. If asked, they will say it is for work. After six months everything was open with him. Then he said, ‘You are crazy. You can’t even look after your children. And what can you do for me?’. Saying this he left the house. Didn’t come back later.
With this, everything is completed. Gone are the days when I don’t cry. Babies often cry close to sleep. My mother tried to comfort me. He said to live for the children. This made me angry. He started treatment again to maintain his mental health. A voluntary organization took over my treatment. Every month they gave me Rs 1000 for living expenses. Now my mental health is much better. I am the one who looks after my children now.
My family stood by me at my worst. I want my children to have a good future. Now I am fully recovered. I want to say to people like me that we may have similar experiences. But don’t get discouraged. Don’t hesitate to ask for help to escape.’ They say in the note.
(Courtesy: Humans Of Bombay)