[quote=AAAAA;1322330]Based upon your reply, I would say that your wife’s depression is much more severe than you think.[/quote]

This is a great point, AAAAA, and actually I have had that thought. I've encouraged my wife to fully communicate her symptoms and behavior to her psychiatrist, and to schedule and attend regular therapy. Following her most recent visit, the psychiatrist initiated some meds changes, and I hope they make a difference.

I should go with her to one of her appointments and make sure the Dr. is hearing about all symptoms, including ones my wife might not want to bring up, or doesn't "see" anymore.

It seems like people who want to battle their mental issues can usually make some headway. I want to understand why she has been seeing psychiatrists for a long time, and tried different meds, but the issues never seem to get any better.

It bothers me that she can be perfectly happy as long as she doesn't have to do anything she doesn't feel like. But when life is tiresome (and hey, sometimes it just is) the mood swings back to "train wreck." The same doc who diagnosed me bipolar does not see it in her.

Unfortunately we have a shortage of helpful friends/relatives where we live, but I can try to initiate more discussion with objective professionals.