How Do You Cope With Your Partners Depression??

[Lupins71]

My dp has always been a person who seems in a mood to other people but when we met 11yrs ago we got on so well and always have done really, but last year he hit what we thougth was rock bottom - after lots of begging he went to the doc who put him on anti'ds,
There was a definate improvement and things seemed better - not ideal but better, now the last couple of months have seen him slip slowly down again, he has been to the psyc and the gp, he was offered a help group but wouldnt go.

Fast forward 2 months and on saturday he took an overdose, I called 999 and they carted he of to a&e, he was allowed home that night and we are seeing the doc this afternoon,

I really hope he gets some help, but how does anyone cope, I feel like I have another child - a severly disabled one at that, one who cant do anything for himself, I am starting to resent him, I really dont want to feel like this - I feel I should be supporting him, but with a toddler and a dd who I home ed, looking after him him as well is a real burden I dont get 5mins to myself, he is clingy and needy and they are all things I find a real strain when I already have enough to deal with - also I am working pt so we have some money coming in

Any suggestions greatly appreciated, I cant leave because he would surely overdose again and I would always have that on my mindm that it was my fault for not being there

[Lupins71]

thanks for replying, he has just been back to gp and we have to go together tomorrow to see psyc team, appaerntly him going to hospital is an option and one which we are both keen on tbh

I hate feeling like he is a burden but it is so hard to remain supportive when I have little time to do so.

As for support, no I dont really have alot, we are new to this area, my mum is local but quite busy

better go - kids are at it now!!

[Marne]

poor you and poor dh, its very hard is'nt it.

Dh has suffered from depresion since a child after his mum hung herself

Since being with me he has'nt atempted suicide but has done in the past.

At times it does feel like you have an extra child, some days can be hard others are good, we just take each day as it comes. At the moment dh is off the AD's but sometimes wants to go back on them.

[empressorchid]

Lupins - I don't cope very well!

See the Support thread for partners, my story is on there. You're not alone if you need to let off steam or need a shoulder to cry on. I also feel very similar to you and am resenting the selfishness that depression causes in its sufferers.

I don;t have any solutions but think the support thread that has been started will help talk things through and try and get things straight in my head.

Keep your chin - you're not alone