10 Tips for Staying Sane when Your Partner is Depressed

Just wanted to personally thank you for writing this post.  There are so many people who write to this site in need of support and guidance as to what to do when their spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend is depressed.  I will definitely be referring people to this article.

Thank you so much for writing this. My husband is bipolar and is depressed at times. It had started to effect me mentally and physically. I felt as though I was sinking into depression too. I wanted to talk to a therapist just to keep myself strong and to relieve some of the stress and worry. Thanks again.

My wife has been clinically depressed for about 2weeks and it has been so hard*crying* we have been together for 8yrs, married 2yrs no kids and she would just say such hurtful things. I also have MS and i'm having another relapse because of all the stress, please please help me.....I just do not know what to do anymore and I can't help but feeling like I am to blame. I just love my wife so very much she is my best friend and I need her back so bad.

Although I wholly believe that those whose partners are depressed need help and support, suggesting leaving a loved one due to their being depressed is not good advice!!!  When the depressed person emerges from the other side, the relationship will be as strong as ever - going through the tough times together as well as the good is what relatinoships are about.  What sort of a partner bails out due to the other being depressed!?!  It will only make the other person feel worse at that point in time.  I do believe that if the depressed person is being abusive or too unfair they should be hauled up on it, but simply to leave is a step too far and is a sign of no love for the other person in the first place.