Hi Everyone,
I found this forum a few weeks ago and was so appreciative of the help and the responses that I wanted to provide an update.
My husband has finally made an appointment with a counselor. I think it is in two weeks. After couple days after he made the appointment we talked about his depression. He told me when he thought it started and how it seemed to cycle and who else in his family are dealing or may have dealt with depression.
I told him that I found a forum on depression to help understand his situation and feelings. I asked if he ever thought to join a forum and he said not really. I told him that it was very helpful for me and could probably be even more helpful for him, to find others who fully identify with his thoughts and feelings and to know he is not alone in being plauged with depression.
I told him some of the feedback that I received - from others with depressed spouses, from others who were able to explain to me their depression so that I could understand. I told him that this helped me be more patient with his situation and made me realize that he could not help his negative thoughts and feelings. Seriously - I was under the impression that people with depression never left the house and slept all the time. I did not realize that there were people dealing depressed who were able to still function socially.
The one thing that I told him was that I didn't want him to feel ashamed or embarassed about his depression with me and that I loved him and very much want him to get better as soon as possible so that we could be happy sooner than later. I explained that I now understand he cannot find the words to explain what he is going through and that it was okay.
I offered to go with him to his first appointment if he wanted me to go. I also said that I fully understand if he wanted to go without me, but that if he ever felt that he wanted me to go with him that I would absolutely do so.
Just curious - how long before a counselor/therapist would prescribe medication? I am not looking to rush things, I'm just not familiar with depression medication. He said that he is open to taking medication for this and that he wants to be happy.
Thank you again to those who read my previous post and to those who replied.
Mia