Depression
So my husband and I have been having a bit of a rough time. Things have gotten monotonous, routine of get home from work, make dinner, feed baby, feed kids and selves, give kids baths, put kids to bed....then when we have down time (about an hour before I would like to go to bed) we usually sit and watch tv together, but on our phones (me especially). Anyway, it seems like we were just living in the same house, not even co-existing. You may have guessed it, but I do better putting my words in writing, having time to think about what I really want to say. So I did. I wrote a letter to my husband about my concerns, we went in a date sans kids, and had a good talk, and things were better, until today....
I came home tonight after work. My husband took the afternoon off (his job allows this, it is his typical day off), and he tells me, "I think I'm depressed. I got home and was going to work on the bathroom remodel, and couldn't even find the want to put some tiles up." He goes on to say he is more forgetful than usual, and has mood swings, feeling completely happy, then the next minute, or hour, or day, feeling zoned out. States he gets pissed off when he has 2 appts at work, when he use to be able to handle 10 or 15.
I let him talk for awhile, again processing, and he brings it up, "I think I need to see someone". I suggest a doctor, but he doesn't want to go to anyone here (small town). We discuss what a doctor would do. I said he may run blood tests, hypothyroidism comes to mind (I have it, and he is describing how I felt before dx). He says that he's a male and it is not as likely, and says that depression is likely in his work field. I said they would do some screens and testing, and if everything was ok, then could refer to mental health counselor. We're both in the medical field (think I said that at some point, him a vet, me a PT), so he knows most of this already. I said I will go with him, if he wants.
One thought is that I may have brought this on, or more to light, with our recent date, complaining that he never wants to do anything social, and has been more short-tempered with the kids. I'm really glad that he was able to open up and tell me this. The other thought is that my life may just fall apart, which I know sounds very selfish, I know. But how serious is it? Enough to tell me he needs help, enough to have suicidal thoughts, enough for self-harm? I don't know, and I'm really scared right now for our future....
Any advice on the topic will be read, but please no husband bashing. I love the man with all my heart, and just want to help him











