Could depression cause my husband to feel like he no longer loves me?

Question

My husband of 17yrs was diagnosed with depression in oct 2006 after a very up and down year for us. He says he is no longer sure he loves me, but doesnt want to leave or break up our family.He is still very caring of me and we still have a full physical relationship.I love him very much. We are going to councilling together and he has been on medication since oct.Is there hope his lack of love for me is part of the depression and may still return as he recovers?Would like to here from anyone who has experience with depression or a depressed partner.

Answer 1

SOrry to hear your husband is going through quite an ordeal. The only thing You can do is be there for him. THe medication the docs gave him in oct., should be working in his system now..and i'm glad you both are going to counselling. Depressioin is very hard on the person dealing with it as well as loved ones watching them go through this. He has to figure out why he's feeling like this and how to get through this to have a Happier Better Life* I think right now he's still confused and not knowing what to do. You two together can work through this. perhaps he feels he's not the man he once was 17yrs ago..and is feeling partially guilty in his mind not being able to be there for you/family*...for a while now with being so depressed. A depressed person doesn't think rationally as everything seems to be falling apart so you withdrawl more from the ppl that care for you the most as you feel you're bothering them having to do things for you etc.
Just hang in there and tell him You Love Him and You're Not Going Anywhere* You're there for life with him~* Through sickness and in health* Things will improve and you'll have your hubby back soon enough. You're doing all the right things as is he........Continue with the counselling and doctors appts to make sure this medication is working for him. If he's still not feeling better.., coming out of the depression, he will need to perhaps try a different medication to bring his spirit up* GOODLUCK and Hang in there* God Bless*~~~

Answer 2

I doubt that he has stopped loving you if he still cares about keeping the family together. He might have been mad at you and said it out of anger. It would hurt me if my husband said that he didn't think he loved me anymore.

I have been depressed since I was a teenager, but I didn't develop major depression until I was 30. I was a wreck. I was married to my first husband at the time. I don't know how he put up with me. He did get angry with me a lot because, as he said years later, he was feeling very frustrated that he couldn't make me feel better or change me. And he didn't think I should see a psychiatrist; he thought he should be able to help me. I did finally get hospitalized and was diagnosed with major depression and received treatment from a psychiatrist and was prescribed an antidepressants Prozac, which didn't help at all. After 3 months of more misory, my co-worker, who was a clinical social worker, told me that I should ask my psychiatrist to change my medication because there are many different meds. Since I had no experience with antidepressants, and the psychiatrist didn't inform me, I didn't realize this. So my psychiatrist prescribed Pamelor, which made all the difference and I felt normal again. I started taking care of myself, quit drinking and smoking, and started exercizing again. I have had to take medication ever since then, and my depression has gotten worse during stressful times. I have been taking Cymbalta for about 2 1/2 years. As far as seeing a counseler--I just don't like having to go to one. But I'm sure they can help; they have been trained to help people, just as psychiatrists are doctors who are trained to heal mental problems.

Take care and God bless you and your husband

Answer 3

I've gone through bouts of depression myself, though maybe not as severe as in your husband's case. One thing is for sure. While I was depressed, I was unable to reach out to anyone. I was too wrapped up in my own pain and suffering to feel anything for anyone.

It is hard to be in your shoes. It hurts badly.

If you love him, then be there for him still and understand that it may be the depression that is causing him to be unsure. So that means, he still have feelings for you.

In the first place, what is causing him his depression? Is it a loss of job? Is it stress in the workplace? Has he had a long history of depression?

If you are into wellness, then you must know that medications may not always be the answer. Make it your fight to find out more about depression. Channeling your energies to researching more about this form of illness may be a good option. Here's a directory that has a whole section on depression http://www.healthandwellnesscentral.com/Category/Depression/73

Answer 4

No. Counseling and medications aren't going to help either of you. You've fallen into the hands of (or have placed your trust in) the "experts of the world" who hardly know a thing.

Ask some of these "experts" about their own lives. Guaranteed many of them are divorced themselves, or otherwise live in chaos or turmoil.

I don't know what's going on with your husband, or if he's very sane. However, if he is faithful above all else, keep your marriage together despite what he says and simply do the best you can. I hope that things work out for you.

Although I don't agree with the poster below about meds, she does make some good points about being long-suffering iin sickness and in health, and this sort of ties in with what I'm saying. John, OTOH, doesn't have a clue, so don't listen to him.

Answer 5

Depression can be one of the causes. Is your husband anywhere near 40-42? His depression could be combined with a mid life crisis. Partly related to a natural drop in hormone levels.
how long can you hold on in the current mode? Be true to yourself and show that you still love him when the opportunity arises. I wish you success

Answer 6

feels like submit partum hormones. communicate on your hubby approximately all of this, communicate on your healthcare expert and get on some anti-depressants if mandatory, and then enlist information from pals and kin to help with the infant to ease your workload. Get out and walk around with the infant- get some sparkling air, take a deep breath and loosen up. This somewhat is rather commonly used after having a infant!!!

Answer 7

Could be vice versa. Falling out of love and deciding to stay in a loveless relationship can be depressing. Do what he hasn't got the courage to do.

Leave.

You'll both be happier in the long run.