Dear questioner, Hello! I'm super excited to chat with you today.
I can feel your worry and anxiety, and I'm here to tell you that liking green is not necessarily a sign of depression.
It's totally normal for everyone's preferences for colors to change over time and with experience. It's a natural process!
Your daughter did not mean to witness you and your husband arguing and injuring yourself. She was definitely affected, but she's a trooper!
Your daughter has witnessed you harming yourself, which may have left her feeling extremely frightened, helpless, and confused. She may not be able to understand why you did it, and may even think it is her fault, which can lead to self-blame and guilt.
The family is a safe haven for children, and you, as a mother, are one of the people closest to them. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to model positive behavior for your daughter! It's important to remember that your daughter may feel that the family environment is no longer safe because of your self-harming behavior. This can affect her sense of psychological security.
She may become more sensitive and vigilant, and even develop a fear of intimacy.
After witnessing your self-harm, your daughter may choose to suppress her emotional expression. This is a natural response to a traumatic event. She may be afraid that her emotions will trigger a similar event again, so she chooses to suppress her emotions.
This may lead to her becoming emotionally closed off and having difficulty forming deep emotional connections with others. But there's so much she can do to change this!
I think you can think about what you think are your own strategies for managing emotions when dealing with conflicts with your husband. You can make some improvements to reduce the impact on your daughter, and I'm excited to help you do that!
You said you also have trauma from your original family. I don't know what you've been through, but it must have had some impact, because you have some emotional ups and downs, you hurt yourself, and you get angry easily, which also affects your daughter. The good news is that you can think about how to identify and avoid repeating the negative behavior patterns in your new family that you had in your original family.
What kind of support do you want to give your daughter? What kind of support does your daughter need?
From your description, it seems that you also need support very much. So before considering whether to take your daughter to see a therapist, you can first consider whether you need help yourself, or take your daughter along for a family consultation.
A mother can only pass on her strength if she has it herself — and you do!


Comments
I can see how deeply concerned you are about your daughter's wellbeing. It's important to note that color preference alone is not a definitive indicator of depression or any other mental health condition. Children's tastes can change over time, and it's natural for her preferences to evolve. However, given the events she has witnessed and her sensitive nature, it might be beneficial to have an open conversation with her about her feelings and reassure her of your support.
It's commendable that you're seeking help for your daughter. While a shift in favorite colors doesn't necessarily signal depression, the circumstances surrounding this change warrant attention. Your daughter has been exposed to some very stressful situations. It could be helpful to talk to her about her emotions and perhaps consult a professional who can provide guidance on whether a psychologist visit is necessary.
Your daughter seems like an incredibly thoughtful and observant child. The traumatic events she's experienced may have impacted her deeply. Instead of focusing solely on her color preference, consider the overall changes in her behavior and mood. If you notice signs of withdrawal, sadness, or anxiety, it would be wise to seek professional advice from a pediatric psychologist who can assess her mental health comprehensively.
You've shared a lot of challenging experiences, both for you and your daughter. Her sensitivity and the events she's witnessed could indeed affect her emotional state. A change in color preference might just be a personal taste development. However, given the complex situation, consulting with a mental health professional could offer peace of mind and ensure that she receives any support she needs. They can also provide strategies for managing stress within the family environment.