I have fallen in love with a man that I believe may have depression. I'll describe his symptoms and allow the forum to confirm or reject my suspicions. The first red flag are the scars on his arms from cutting. After a month of seeing him, I asked if he felt comfortable sharing what made him cut. He was vauge and said it was due to a failed relationship while he was in college. I didn't press the issue. Although we get along very well and have a lot of fun together, he distances himself from me. He rarely replies to text messages or phone calls. Early in the relationship I assumed that he was not interested in me and I broke off contact with him. Soon after the breakup, he would indirectly try to contact me (ie asking my friends about me, sending me emails about work, show up to my recreational establishments ect.) He ended up expressing to me that he never wanted to break up and that he needed time to have feeling for me. So I decided to give him another chance. He now has a difficult time expressing himself. He seems affraid to initiate dates as though I will reject him despite my blatant display of affection towards him. When I speak with him on the phone he sounds flat and sad. He oversleeps, has strange eating patterns, and abuses alcohol. All signs of depression right? Despite these flaws, I am in love with the person he is. I am willing to work with him through this period of his life but I am not sure how to behave around him when he is depressed. I am also worried about being hurt myself. Is it wise to stay with a young man while he is depressed? Or is the timing bad? Is he able to reciprocate love at this stage in his life. Please help.