Question:
My boyfriend has been showing a lot of symptoms of depression. He has even
admitted to thinking that he is depressed. Some of the obvious signs include:
1. Being tired all the time and sleeping A LOT
2. Frustrated with everyone in his life
3. Anger (to a degree)
4. Very low self esteem
I try to help him but it doesn't seem to work. He doesn't seem to want to go to counseling. I'm really concerned about him. How can I help? Is this clinical depression? Will he be able to progress out of this?
Answer:
Seems as if there is nothing much you can do actively to help him. And perhaps you do not need to. I think the important thing is to show him that you are there for him, no matter what happens. Be a rock for him to lean against. Do not press him.It would take a lot more than that to tell if it’s clinical depression, but...
Being a male who took something like 25 years to seek counseling I understand both your concern and his reticence to seek treatment. It’s an unfortunate male attribute - "rugged individualism", "machismo", all that other bs. I have no magic potion to help you. All I can say is, be there to help him when he needs it, support him, love him. Continue to suggest counseling, but do not press it too hard. Sometimes that causes a backlash, depending on how obstinate he is. (Personally, I can be very obstinate. It must be the German
in me.) If it begins to get out of control, if he becomes a threat to himself or you or others, intervene. Please keep in contact. Don't be afraid to ask if there is anything I can do to help.
Your boyfriend is showing some signs of clinical depression. You need to talk with your boyfriend and get to the root of the problem. Is his problem at the workplace, at home, or in your relationship? Convincing him to see a professional psychologist isn't a bad idea. Professionals are trained in this area and they can help him before his depression grows worse.
