Depression Treatment Care

I’m dealing with postpartum depression and I dont want to take meds, because the side effects on a lot of them seem worse than the symptoms I have now. What can I do to relieve this? I have family and friends nearby, but its hard for me to get over my anxeity in asking for help, as they say, “no one likes a downer.” What can help?

I know a Libra girl, her home country is in Peru, she married a white man and came to the US, at first she was happy and looked bright and cheerful, but one year later, she was diagnosed with manic depression and bipolar and her eyes bugged out a lot in a crazy expression. She had no friends and stayed in her house all the time.

Hi there,

I’m a 27 year old girl and I’ve been dating this guy for 4 months. It has been a turbulent relationship as he can have severe mood swings and is a recovering alcoholic. I would never normally be with someone who has such mental baggage but despite this I have completely fallen for him.

His mood swings are terrible. He would never be violent but he could go from compleley loving and happy to severely depressed where I know there is nothing I can do but give him space. I just thought that was his personality. Recently he took me on holiday, his amily adore me and he has done everything to signify that he was happy with me and wanted to have a serious relationship. He gave all the signs of wanting this. I am not a stupid girl and I would never read into things more then what they are. He did every action to make me believe he wanted to be with me.

Yesterday, out of the blue he came over as we were meant to go for lunch. Instead he sat there severely depressed and said he wanted to break up. I was and am in complete shock. He said he needed time to get better and it was only then I realised that he suffered from manic depression. I know this has nothing to do with me but I am absolutely devastated. I love him so much and I am so afraid he is going to do something stupid. His father had manic depression and committed suicide and I am so afraid. He admitted to me that he just doesn’t feel like others do. That he’s almost devoid of emotion. All the while, he couldn’t look at me in the eyes while saying this. And it was difficult for him to even finish saying how he felt about me which I know is strong.

He is a wonderful boyfriend and person 50% of the time and I am completely addicted to his high. I’m in love with it when he’s in love with life but when he has a low it is so hard and very bruising on me. All the same, I love that other part of him and I can’t walk away knowing how wonderful he can be and knowing how low he can get without someone beside him.

I don’t want to break up. I want to be there for him. I want to support him and help him. I’m involved now and I can’t walk away and think I’ve made a lucky escape.I am devastated and I feel like someone has punched a giant hole in my chest.

Please can someone who knows about bipolar disorder/manic depression help me? Please explain to me how I can get him to see that we can still be together and go through treatment at the same time. What do I say? I don’t want to put pressure on him and I am not a clingy girlfriend so I don’t mind giving him space and all the time he needs but I don’t want to break up.

Please give me some advice in getting him to see this.

My son was diagnosed with bipolar depression. Would like more info on how to help him.