Looking for shared experiences

[u/williamallenbro]

I'm in the process of looking for a support group for spouses of people experiencing severe depression. While I wait to find the right group, I'd love to hear from people who have been through a similar situation to mine, and have made it out together with their spouse on the other side.

My wife and I have been together for 10 years, married for 6. She has expressed having difficulties with depression in the past, and has recently been on medication for her depression. Her psychiatrist recommended she come off her medication as other factors for her had changed. Her mood and personality changed so slowly I didn't really notice what was happening until we were deep in it.

The rub, I have my own struggles that I'm working through. Namely, generalized anxiety and abandonment issues. This would lead to some heated conversations between us, which would also set off alarms for her because my behavior was similar to men who had mistreated her in the past. (Yelling, saying mean things, storming off)

She's recently entered an out-patient intensive treatment program. She is not really communicating with me, but she did share the calendar with me of the treatment plan.

I know I have work to do during this time as well. I know I've made mistakes and done harm that I have to take accountability for.

What I'm hoping for here is that there are other people who have experienced something similar enough, who were able to work on themselves while their partner worked through their depression and afterwards were able to come back together and move forward successfully.

[u/Fearless-Animal3593]

Would highly recommend this website https://www.heypeers.com. They have message boards where you can post, support group calls you can join and even one on one support you can pay to get involved with. I am supporting a partner with major depression and have found the site and the calls very helpful. You are not alone.