It makes me feel very disappointed. I tend to think that it is due to lack of interest in helping me. After being with someone for years, as I have been, I think he could have learned more by now.

My partner has said repeatedly, "I don't understand anything about depression, so I really don't know what to say to you." It makes me mad. I've read everything I could find on every type of problem that he has so I could best understand how to help him. (And he's had plenty of problems.)

Ultimately, it makes me withdraw from the relationship. No point going to draw water from a dry well. Then he feels lonely when I stay away from him during times of the blues. So we're both worse off.

Partners of people with mental health issues sometimes don't realize they could be helpful, if they would just take an interest in understanding. When they don't, it contributes to the distress of the person with the issues.