Is it possible to sink into a depression after your boyfriend may be in one?!
Question: I'm so frustrated. He just doesn't seem to care anymore. He doesn't mean to though. He tells me he isn't trying to be. He hasn't been medically diagnosed yet, however he (along with his family expecially his mother who has already suffered from it) believes that he is depressed.
I'm really trying to help him. I'm desperately looking for a way to get him out, but all of my efforts feel hopelessly lost. It's finally caught up with me too. I've lost sleep over it. I don't sleep during the night anymore, but feel exhausted for the entire day.
I'm currently on vacation, visiting relatives who I only see once a year. I just don't feel like seeing them though. I'm not much of a talker, so usually when my mom asks, I just get frustrated and clam up. She gets mad at me because I won't talk to her. The only person I feel comfortable talking to is my boyfriend, but I don't want him to feel that this is his fault. I don't know what to do.
Could I be depressed because of his depression?
Answers: I'm so frustrated. He just doesn't seem to care anymore. He doesn't mean to though. He tells me he isn't trying to be. He hasn't been medically diagnosed yet, however he (along with his family expecially his mother who has already suffered from it) believes that he is depressed.
I'm really trying to help him. I'm desperately looking for a way to get him out, but all of my efforts feel hopelessly lost. It's finally caught up with me too. I've lost sleep over it. I don't sleep during the night anymore, but feel exhausted for the entire day.
I'm currently on vacation, visiting relatives who I only see once a year. I just don't feel like seeing them though. I'm not much of a talker, so usually when my mom asks, I just get frustrated and clam up. She gets mad at me because I won't talk to her. The only person I feel comfortable talking to is my boyfriend, but I don't want him to feel that this is his fault. I don't know what to do.
Could I be depressed because of his depression?
There are a few reasons why depression can be 'contagious', for example...
A depressed person secretes hormones that can be sensed (usually unconciously) by other people, so causing the nervous systems of the other people to be 'on alert' for the cause of the first person's depression. This hyperactivity eventually takes its toll on the second person.
There's the cause you've identified (you're actively worried about him being down / ill, just as your mum is worried about you).
Depressed people can be hard work to live with. For example, you might be 'treading on eggshells', not wanting to say the 'wrong' thing. Or you might be having to do more around the house, because the depressed person is not so motivated to.
One thing you might want to consider is that your bf and yourself might be depressed for the same reason. For example, you might have unhealthy lifestyles, unhealthy living environments. You should not assume that your bf's depression is 100% inherited, because the causes (or contributory causes) might then be overlooked.
I have read lots of studies that show that early diagnosis and treatment of depression improves the treatment/recovery rate. Perhaps you can see a doctor before you return home?
"The only person I feel comfortable talking to is my boyfriend"
Remember, there are charities that you can phone in confidence, for advice or just a chat.
Do think about the benefits of opening up to your mum.
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he puts you ina depressed environment, so therefor you are not going to be hearing nothing but negative things from him, so yea you could be depressed from this depression. when your around him try to think of nice things to say, or just simply talk it out. and get medication.
Yes, I believe you can be depressed over this situation. I would help for you to open up to someone, why not try to talk to your mom or talk to someone else. You can't help your b.f. if it affects you also. I hope he gets help.
Yes. There is a condition called "situational depression". It is not the same as a chemical imbalance that can cause depression. It doesn't mean you shouldn't still consider treatment or removing yourself from the situation.