[Cinabunbun]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, and I'm been trying to learn more about dysthymia depression. Short story: My boyfriend of over a year recently just told me that he has depression after I had a talk with him about how I didn't see this relationship progressing, how he was emotionally distant, and not able to express his feelings for me. He would always say "I don't know or I believe I have feelings for you." I broke up with him and after two days, he told me the reason for the emotional distance and communication problems was because he didn't tell me earlier in the relationship that he has depression. We got back together because I'm not willing to let my love or the relationship go simply on the depression.

A few months have gone by and we are still together, but I'm running into more "I don't knows" and no signs of actual, thoughtful love gestures. Sometimes, I wish he would make me art, grab one of my favorite things and surprise me, or actually get me a card on my birthday. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had a relationship with a man who has depression and how to combat this signs of uncertainty and if he will ever love me? Thanks for any advice.

[Skeezyks]

Hello Cinabunbun: I see this is your first post here on PC. So... welcome to PsychCentral! I hope you find the time you spend here to be of benefit.

I'm sorry I cannot really offer much in the way of advice with regard to your concerns. However here are links to some articles from PsychCentral's archives that may be of some interest:

https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-to...ental-illness/

https://psychcentral.com/blog/9-best...th-depression/

https://psychcentral.com/blog/3-self...th-depression/

https://psychcentral.com/lib/best-th...hos-depressed/

https://psychcentral.com/blog/how-yo...th-depression/

https://psychcentral.com/blog/10-thi...le-depression/

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/tms/2...-is-different/

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/careg...le-depression/

https://psychcentral.com/news/2013/0...men/59064.html

I don't know, of course, if you're here simply seeking advice with regard to this particular concern or if you plan to hang in here with us. However, should you be planning to continue on (we hope you do)... may I suggest you introduce yourself over on PC's New Member Introductions forum? Here's a link:

https://forums.psychcentral.com/new-...introductions/

There's a lot of support that can be available here on PC. The more you post, & reply to other members' posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are the chat rooms where you'll be able to interact with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) So please keep posting!

I was diagnosed with dysthymia. At this time I am not experiencing depression, but that maybe because I take a med for depression. When I was depressed I found it hard to make decisions and stick with the ones that I had made. I just plodded along in life thinking that things are just the way that they are. I am not sure what you mean by "combat." There is nothing that you can do to change his depression.