i put on such a mask at work. Sometimes certain things can be a daily struggle. But I admit I crack occasionally and then colleagues realise something is way wrong.

What do you mean your wife doesn't understand? Could you elaborate?

I ask as it could be depressive thinking making you feel that unless she's walked in your shoes, she wouldn't get it from a first hand experience.

But she doesn't need to get it from a first hand experience in order to understand that this is a real struggle and challenge for you right now and to identify the signs that you are suffering

Maybe she does understand more than you realise? Just throwing out a different perspective.