Is There A Support Group For Partners Of People Suffering From Depression?

Q: The group you posted to (soc.support.depression.family) doesn't seem to be active. I watch it becasue I'd like to find someplace my wife could get some support. I have been getting support in alt.support.personality, and am crossposting this response there, and in alt.support.depression as well, since most of us have families, and perhaps someone else in those newsgroups has a suggestion. Can you get your wife to join us in either of those groups?

A:You are more than welcome to join us in alt.support.personality. We have a bit of everything in here. BPD, major depression, Bi-Polar, schizoid, avoidant and ADD to name a few. We also have people here who have spouses with disorders. Feel free to come in and lurk, vent or ask questions. Alan tends the bar and Loon Atick operates the espresso machine. You could try treating her depression by taking an antidepressant yourself and going to weekly therapy yourself. There are lots of things one can do to help a depressed loved one. But without knowing the nature of the relationship, and the extent of the depression, it's kinda tough to offer good advice. "God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, The courage to change the one person I can change, And the wisdom to know it's me." In the end we only have so much control over the actions of other people. If you've got a history of depression, then it might help to understand that support can be defined as the ability to endure without being overwhelmed. The more overwhelmed you feel, the more pressure you actually place on your depressed spouse - rather than remove from them. Almost 4 years ago I posted the following here on ASD.......... A while back there was some discussion here of various definitions of support. Several ideas were talked about, including some like those in my electronic dictionary, which include: 1. To bear the weight of, especially from below. 2. To hold in position so as to keep from falling, sinking, or slipping. 3. To be capable of bearing; withstand. 4. To keep from weakening or failing; strengthen. 5. To provide for or maintain, by supplying with

money or necessities. 6. To furnish corroborating evidence for. 7. To aid the cause, policy, or interests of. 8. To endure; tolerate. I suffer from depression. My husband, I am sure was at his end several times. Mine was from hormones. I had a hysterectomy and my estrogen replacement was not working. I got no relief from antidepressants, they only made me feel worse. I then found out that my thyroid was not working right. Between changing my hormone replacement and thyroid medication, I am so much better. There is a lot of new drugs available and all I can tell you is to try another doctor. Do not give up. I went through 4 or 5 before getting one to listen to me.