[stevep3577]

hi all
im new to the site, i joined becuase i wanted to find out if anyone has been through servere depression and come through it and can offer me some advise, my wife is currently suffering from severe depression and has been for the last 2 years maybe more, the depression has given her other problems from drug addiction, severe anxiety to attempted suicides and overdoses. she has been placed on all sorts of medication by her Doctor, they seem to work for a while but then the depression just creeps back into her life. she has recently been admitted to the priory for more intense therepy, again this seemed to work for a while but she is now slipping back. we have very capable doctors helping but it just doesnt seem to work. its really hard to see any hope for my wife at the moment and i feel im getting depressed myself, we have two children im a desperatly trying to keep life as normal as posible and ensure this doesnt effect them. if any one can tell me there is hope and that they or someone they know has got through this and is now leading a normal happy life, it will lift my spirits and help me to support my wife and children.
thank you

[LovingJesusinAZ]

I have "been there, done that" I was the wife suffering from depression while it tore my husband (and almost my marriage) apart. At the time we were newly married and didn't have any children.

Your wife's case is much more severe than mine was, but I had suicide thoughts and twice had the opportunity to follow through on them. It has been about 4 years since things started to get better for me. My wonderful husband stuck by me and supported me through all of the horrible times and we are now the proud parents of two little ones.

I pray that your wife finds peace.

[mrmnmom82]

My Uncle suffers from severe depression. His wife is a wonderful and patient person. She has had to leave, and come back when he got his meds straightened out, but she has allways come back, and she's allways been there for him. I can't imagine it's been easy, but they love each other and are supportive of each other.

[Husbanddd]

I have 2 children and my wife has been diagnosed with depression. She has thoughts of suicide, and has been comitted twice. She's also on many different types of medication.
I can only wish you much strength.
I have been through a roller-coaster of emotions, some good, some bad. Lonliness is my biggest struggle, it was anger in the beginning but I read a book by the Dalai Lama who has interesting points of view on depression.
I also started a blog, a place for me to voice my feelings/thoughts. It helps, I write whatever I am feeling, sometimes just rambling.
http://ahusbandsbattle.blogspot.com/
I wish I could tell you that there is light at the end of the tunnel. All I can say is, be strong for your children, show your wife love and support, and try to find peace within yourself, so you dont find yourself falling into a sense of helplessness and despair.
"If we are overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness or depression we should grasp every opportunity to improve our situation". Dalia Lama

Best Wishes

[mcmama]

Hi Husbanddd!

This time of year seems to be a bad one for people suffereing from depression. The short days, and often the cloudy conditions will bring on the chemical imbalances that cause depression.

Medications seem to be an ongoing process - often requiring adjustments. It is a roller coaster - and you have to be careful that your own life is not consumed.

Have you found any support groups for spouses of depressed people? I think NAMI has them in some areas.

[stevep3577]

dear all
thank you for all your replies, my wife is now making a fantastic recovery. our doctor has changed her medication and the difference this has made to my wife is unbelievable. i thought the recovery was going to be long and hard but over just a month or two she has gone from strength to strength and is now almost in total control of her mood and day to day life. she has even planned a date to return to work and is eager if a little nervous to get back. she still has the odd day that she feels abit down, but her down day now, is the same as a very good day two months ago and they are getting further and further apart. My wife is happy, our children are happy, im happy. we have planned a family holiday this year and are all looking forward to it. it seems our life's are back on track and i believe our relationship is stronger than ever now and we are both allot more wiser now.
my advice to anyone is to first try and find a quality doctor who has ample experince with this type of condition and to hang on in there and get us much help as you can. odly my wife remembers very little of the months she was ill, she says it was all a bit hazy. unfortunatley i remember it all to well and know how testing it is for a partner, but dont give up on them. keep trying to find the right help for them and yourself.

i hope this give's hope to anyone else going through similar situations.
good luck
steve

[QueenAngie]

Great news, Steve!

Wishing you and your wife a healthy & happy 2009!
Sounds like she is on the right track, with your love and support.