dear T81, Christopher has given you a site to look at, and I must say that by him joining in with different websites and directions has been a great addition for all of us, as none of this ever happened before, so his knowledge is invaluable to all of us.
Can I ask you, in that you say your partner gets really depressed a 'few times a year', so I wonder whether or not you notice that he maybe trying to cover it up, like we do, and that's with a fake face, because depression is always there, but he may try to hide it from you.
Everybody behaves in a different way, some like to be mollycoddled at first, but as time passes they can get annoyed and want to be left alone, so there are a few options for you, 1 just tell him that you are there for him anytime he wants to talk, or 2 that he go and see his doctor, however sometimes it could be suggested when he is not in one of these depressive moods, because his mind will better to comprehend this suggestion and not so reactive, or 3 see if he would like to go for a walk.
The other problem is that he makes statements which definitely hurt you, but it's depression that controls on what he does say, and I'm totally sure that he does love you to pieces, and as painful this is to you, just walk away from him and leave him alone.
People on the reserving end are always targeted, but then this affects you, as it upsets you and makes you feel begin to feel down, and this can lead to you having depression yourself, because it's just like magnetic, it draws you in, and when he recovers you may not, so I suggest that you see your doctor by yourself, but he too needs professional help, and please there is NO weakness in doing so, as this illness destroys anybody who is unfortunate enough to get it, so your health is just as important as his.
I really hope that you get back to us, as there is a huge amount of support here for you and this includes myself. L Geoff. x
