Irritability, indifference, disconnection, increased risk taking, substance use, anger and even aggression, along with the loss of interest in things they usually enjoyed, loss of energy

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for your replies. OP here. This is about DH and he seems out of it for a few months now. A lot of the symptoms fit, specially the anger and irritability, lack of interest in nyhingetc. how do I help him? Hugs and kisses don't seem to work

Get him to his PCP, ideally with you accompanying him so you can share your perspective on his symptoms too. People in the throes of depression often have a hard time recognizing 1) that there is a problem 2) exactly how their quality of life has declined 3) how their behavior is affecting those around them.

Also educate yourself on depression as much as possible. It is draining to support a spouse through mental illness but you have to try and treat it like cancer, i.e. prepare yourself for the long haul and don't blame him.

Thanks for your replies. OP here. This is about DH and he seems out of it for a few months now. A lot of the symptoms fit, specially the anger and irritability, lack of interest in nyhingetc. how do I help him? Hugs and kisses don't seem to work

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lack of ambition, changes in eatin and sleeping patterns, irritability...on and on.

Describes most bored, useless SAHMs.

+1

my DH was depressed. Biggest symptom: He seemed detached. He was very self-absorbed; it was all about him, his eyes would glaze over if we started talking about me or my day, or the kids. I used to say, "I feel like I am living in the (DH) Show. I don't get a moment of the spotlight. Even the commercials are about DH!" I felt like there was nothing I could do, and it was all about him, and I was getting sucked dry. I did think that if it was still going on in a couple of years' time, I would have to make plans to leave because I couldn't take it for much longer.

He is so different now; he needed time to heal. I think it's important to recognize the difference between situational depression (caused by a reasonable thing to be naturally depressed about, like a job change that pulls you away from your friends, as it did with DH, or a death, or a divorce), which often just follows a timeframe and people come out of it after a while, vs. chronic depression. It can make a difference on if or how one chooses to treat the depression.

nagging wives

Irritability and anger are common symptoms of depression in men (less common, but not unheard of, in women). Lack of enjoyment in activities he previously enjoyed. Changes in sleeping patterns--sleeping a lot more or insomnia. Changes in appetite. Lack of hope about the future or his ability to change things. Feelings of worthlessness or a sense that no one would miss him if he were gone.

Anonymous wrote:anger

Yes, more common than you think. He may seem snippy or mad rather than lethargic and crying.

Anonymous wrote:Lack of ambition, changes in eatin and sleeping patterns, irritability...on and on.

Describes most bored, useless SAHMs.

anger

Lack of ambition, changes in eatin and sleeping patterns, irritability...on and on.

What are some symptoms ?