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Old 04-04-2007, 05:47 AM   #1
Adler
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(male)
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Oxford
Posts: 2
How do I help my wife?

Hi, I'm new to this but am getting a little tired of the help and advice from so called professional at the NHS! Forgive me if this goes on a bit but I' have lot to get off my chest.....
My wife has suffered with depression since she was very young. She has dealt with it pretty well, up until about 18 months ago. Following a huge family fall out and her best friend going away for a year she pretty much fell apart and made an attempt at her own life, though thankfully it didn't work. After a lot of hard work from us both and her friend returning, things started to get better.
However, she is starting to spiral again and I I'm very concerned about her, she is convinced all her friend hate her and that she is a terrible person, she is also convinced I am going to leave her. A few yrs back I left her over something silly, but it seems to have stuck that I'm going to do it again, which I will never do. She had some private councelling about a year ago which included some hympnotherapy which seemed to work to a point, however its very expensive and we do not enough money for it to be regular. NHS help is the worst thing we have ever been thru. She self harms sometimes and the NHS recommended her doing cross stitch!
Having never suffered with derpression myself I cannot ever imaginge how tough it is for her and anyone who suffers from it. Does anyone have any advice on how can help her without making things worse?

Mark
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Old 04-04-2007, 12:26 PM   #2
Sannah
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,230
Re: How do I help my wife?

Mark, can you get her to start posting here?
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Old 04-04-2007, 03:03 PM   #3
firenice
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: West U.S.
Posts: 328
Re: How do I help my wife?

Adler,
Although I'm not a big proponent of medication, in some cases it can be helfpul especially if it can diminish tendencies towards self harm. Has there been any medications involved?

Does she acknowledge the problem? Does she indicate any willingness to want to overcome the depression? Does she read books? Does she get out and do things?(social, work, go for walks, etc.). Is she sleeping well? Is she eating well?

What kind of support systems do you have to help you through this period?
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Old 04-04-2007, 04:36 PM   #4
keyboardplaya
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Posts: 137
Re: How do I help my wife?

Since her feelings are mostly those of low self-esteem, all she really needs for now is for you to be there for her. I understand she has her doubts about you staying in the relationship, but you just have to prove it to her. Unfortunately, you may have to try just a little harder to make it very obvious that you love her.
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Old 04-04-2007, 09:03 PM   #5
rachael1
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 7
Re: How do I help my wife?

hi mark,
i know everyone is different...but when i self harm it is because i feel invisible. I feel so so sad that i dont know what to do with myself, and somehow sh makes tha pain an understandable tangible pain. I never, ever do it when my husband is home because i know he loves me unconditionally. He would be so devestated if he knew. Of course im not saying you dont love your wife, its obvious that you do or you wouldnt be here; but she needs to feel loved. Just hold her and dont let her go until she knows your not going anywhere. Call her from work to say i love you. Warm her towel in the dryer so its nice when she gets out of the shower. make a list of all the reasons why you love her (my husband made a list of 70 reasons why he loves me and now i read it whenever i need to smile)
honest, they sound trite and cliche`, but she will gradually build a trust that you love her undoubtedly.
hope this helps you
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