Support for spouses of the depressed Community Group
support for people that deal with daily depression from their significant other but do not fully understand how to deal with it. I try but i never know if I am helping or hurting with my reactions and responses.
My husband is depressed. I think. I can't know for sure because he won't go to a doctor. Even when we had money and insurance, even when he worked for a company which provided mental health care for no charge, he never went. We talked about it and he agreed it would be good, but never went. He's never been a happy person. I should have seen the warning signs, but rose colored glasses and all. He got with me out of loneliness and stayed out of complacency. He was not emotional during the proposal or the wedding. The only emotions he ever shows are annoyance and anger, a couple times in our 7 year relationship he was excited. Now, he's unemployed. He wanted to go back into the military and they refused. It's the only thing he ever wanted. The more rejections he gets from jobs, the worse the depression gets. He never leaves the house, sleeps on the couch instead of coming to bed with me, never wants sex. I fill out all of his job applications and have to force him to go to interviews. I'm working for $10/hr, we live in my parents' travel trailer outside their house, we sold my car to pay bills, and both our phones have been shut off. I suggest things to do that won't cost money. He refuses. I do my best to keep my head up, but all he does is complain. I had a misscarriage about a month ago (right as we were moving out of our house) and I need support. I'm too busy working, cleaning the trailer (he doesn't), filling out his applications, and pushing him to do...something, anything. I'm at the end of my rope. I know sometimes he thinks I'd be better off without him. I'm not sure I disagree anymore. I love him. I know there's a good man in there. I don't want to do further damage by making him leave, but I can't carry us both when I'm barely able to stand on my own. Help me, anyone.