Hi,

My first post. I googled being in a relationship with a depressed person. I love him, we're engaged and I don't want anyone else. My main concern is if I can be happy even though he has depression. He's tried antidepressants and therapy but then he stopped. I didn't note a difference before, during or after. He tried it for a year and he made the decision to stop treatment.

I support him in all that he does but he has really low self esteem and it hurts me when he puts himself down. I used to not be so affected by it and dismiss it as his depresion talking but lately I can't help but wonder if this is what the future holds.

I know I play a role in my own happiness and its key to make time for myself to vent and go out with friends but it hurts to think he might always be depressed. We want kids but I don't want our kids to deal with his depression. He's negative and paranoid that everyone is out to get him and I'm always willing to give people the benefit of the doubt.

How else can I cope or have hope?