Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
Hi there! This is my first post in this forum. So please bare with me. My boyfriend and I have been together for some time now. He has been transparent with me from the start about his mental illness - including his medications and therapy sessions. The past few months have been extremely difficult for him. Needless to say it has also been hard on our relationship. I try to always remind him that I love him and will always be here, that he's not alone in this. I have also made it a point to be informed about what depression really is, so that I can be a better partner overall.
Recently he made a decision to take a trip back to his home state where his family lives. While there he also decided to start treatment there.
Although it is hard to have him far away from me, I try my best to remain positive and supportive through his journey... It's been one month since the last time I saw him but it feels like an eternity. It hurts me so much to see that he feels worse and worse every day. I wish I could do something to help... Anything. If he doesn't reply to my texts, I can't do anything. I can't go see him like I used to. I feel selfish in saying that it is hard for me... Because I know it's not his fault. He didn't choose this.
Some days it is just so hard for me to remain positive. Especially when he is very negative and fights me on things. And I feel like such a bad person for feeling emotionally exhausted sometimes...
I know that I could do better in just doing some more self-care. It has just been hard having him away from me. For our only method of communication to be texting...
It hurts me to see him go through this. To think so little of himself. For him to not believe just how much I love and care about him. It hurts me when I ask if he's okay and he tells me he is tired of living. I know that there is nothing I can do to fix his depression... It's just so hard to see someone you love go through this.
For anyone who loves someone who is depressed, whether it be a partner, family member, or friend... What are your biggest words of advice during the low times?
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Hi All.... It's great to see all of the new people joining the site... I'm loving it!!...smileI'm not sure if people are aware that if you don't have Bipolar Disorder but have a loved one who has the disorder we do have a board for people to go to in order to share their experiences and seek friendship, support or adviseIt's the Friends and Family of Bipolar Board.... I hope you'll take a...
It's hard enough to manage a relationship where one partner suffers from Depression, but trying to do it long distance is going to be very close to impossible. When you're not together daily, its very easy for doubts, anger, frustration, anxiety and more severe depression to creep in. And treatment for Depression is not a quick thing, it's a long process. Did he not have a Therapist and Psychiatrist to get treatment from there where you guys normally live?
The main advice I can offer if you plan to pursue this relationship I would check into seeing a Therapist for yourself so that all the feelings you have building up don't turn into resentment against your BoyFriend. I would urge your BoyFriend to come back home and continue his treatment there so the strain on you relationship is not so much. And if you can get him back in the same State as you, I'd urge him to do things to take his mind off of the Depression, taking long walks a couple times a day, taking up a hobby you can both do together, take a community cooking class or painting class....just somethings that you can do together that are meant to be fun.
I hope that things get better for you, regardless of where he lives it will be a long process, so exercising patience on your part with be key to success.
Take care,
kat