Husband with depression

[Dizzylin]

Hi all my husband has been fighting depression since the birth of our first child nearly 7 years ago. He wentto our GP who put him on anti-depressants and on the whole they help but he does have times when the depression really kicks in regardless. He is at that stage at the moment, I've been out this afternoon with the kids and when we came home he was in our bedroom upset because he had lost it over a coat hanger he couldn't get and thumped the door frame causing a picture to fall off the wall and break. He hasn't eaten since breakfast and has said he doesn't want anything. I'm really worried about him, he's been angry before but never violent like this. How can I help him? There isn't a route cause so we cannot change anything - he's been waiting for councilling since Christmas. I just don't know what to do. I love him so much and just wish I could take it all away from him

It's so hard seeing our loved ones struggling. The difficulty with depression as you know is that it doesn't need a reason. Remember that it is likely that whatever you do you will not be able to help your husband to feel better at the moment and that's not your fault. If things are getting worse you need to go back to the GP, they maybe able to adjust the ADs or find one that works better for him. If things are more urgent you can go to A&E for an emergency psychiatric assessment or speak to 111 (they have sent an out of hours GP to see my husband when he has been in crisis in the past, but wouldn't go to A&E) I'm hoping the violence was just towards the doorframe, but if you ever feel unsafe get out and call 999, the police will get your husband an emergency psychiatric assessment and I have always found them very good when we have had to use them this way in the past.

Thank you. We've just had a chat and he's told me he's missed a couple of tablets this week because he has been working nights and out of routine. I'm hoping this episode is linked to that but will certainly be keeping an extra eye on him for a week or so and will encourage him to go to the gp if he doesn't improve. Hopefully I won't ever feel threatened by him but would seek help if needed x

To be fair my DHs MH problems are more complex than 'just' depression. I just always feel the need to suggest the 999 option as I didn't realise this was an option in the past and was surprised what wonderful support the police were during mental health crisis (I've learned most of what I know about navigating mental health crisis care from the police)