I was diagnosed with clinical depression some years back, but had gotten treatment for it and had been in remission when I first met my husband. Every now and then, I have depressive episodes and feel like I make it hell for my family when I get into it. Because I met my husband when I "was happy" so to speak, I'm not sure he fully understands the scope of depression and how to deal with it....
Apart from taking anti-depressants, how else can I make life easier for my husband and children when I'm going through these hard times?
2007-07-29 16:27:44 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
My wife has depression, and we have been happily married for 10 years. Honestly the best thing you can do is make certain your channels of communication are open. You MUST communicate to him what you are feeling. He will want to know how to fix it, but you have to explain that it is not something to be fixed, but something that has ups and downs- like a roller coaster. Provide him examples of your feelings, and hopefully you have found a guy that will be receptive of your illness and not shut you down, or worse, ignore that there is a problem. Once he is educated on your feelings, then communicate when you are depressed. He will learn to understand, and be supportive (I hope).
2007-07-29 16:40:00 · answer #1 · answered by Dan 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Definitely anti-deps and therapy.
My husband has told me many times that he needs me to be well. He can't be healthy and happy unless I am healthy and happy. So the best thing you can do for your family is to take care of a very special person--you.
Oh, and one other thing I forgot about. When we were first married we had a lot of trouble because Sam was desperate to help me, but didn't know what to do. Finally we figured out that if I tell him what's on my mind, how I'm feeling and what I need, we can pull ourselves up out of the pit together. Communication.
TX Mom
Debbie
Not a MI practitioner
2007-07-29 23:48:15 · answer #2 · answered by TX Mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speaking from the perspective of someone living with a partner with depression, I think the best thing you can do is keep talking to him. When my partner turns silent, I do not know what he is thinking and it both scares and upsets me. If you know you have depression, then you can reason with yourself and help show others that they are not to blame, but that instead, you need their love and support to get through your episodes.
I think sometimes medication is a necessary part of healing and hopefully you have the support to make the decisions best for you.
2007-07-29 23:35:26 · answer #3 · answered by kip 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suggest you read the book "Real Magic" by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer. It is a self improvement book about finding happiness and prosperity in life through positive thinking. Sounds like it's just what you need. It helped me a lot. Good Luck!
2007-07-29 23:33:49 · answer #4 · answered by MissKathleen 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
take him out for a romantic dinner and discuss what the proublem is and tell him how you feel about the relationship, tell him how much he means to you and when you get home tuck the kids in and tell them your sorry that you put them threw this. Tell them that they are the most important thing to you and ask your husband if he could share HIS feelings about you depression. tell him what its like to be in YOUR shoes and tell him once again how much HE means to you. (=
2007-07-29 23:42:32 · answer #5 · answered by Super Junior 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell yourself that this is all okay . The marriage is okay and the kids are okay. Now step out for a bit and find some friends who will like you. You need to be liked a whole lot more.
2007-07-29 23:31:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i also suffer from depression and am on anti-depressants. i agree 100% with those who said that communication was key. the one guy said that when his wife gets silent and doesn't say anything is when he gets scared... my spouse has said the same thing about me....
2007-07-29 23:51:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋