Connect with people who understand what you are going through,
seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're
free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
In response to: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
pipSenior Contributor
Re: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
Dear depression 101. Can I ask when your wife left? If she has only been away a short time, she needs to 'lick her wounds' and heal. I would consider sending her a note/text, tell her how much you love her. If you are getting some sort of help/therapy, tell her. Ask if it would be possible to meet on neutral ground i.e coffee shop/café. Perhaps ask her to share a meal. Depression is a crippling, soul destroying illness, it affects everyone involved. Get some info regarding the illness. If she will agree to meet, show her the info and explain you're getting help. Once she sees for herself you are trying to get help and get better, she may agree to return. One other thought, here, if you are receiving counselling/therapy, ask if it's possible (if your wife agrees) could she accompany you. This way, she will see how genuine you are about getting better.
In response to: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
depression101Senior Contributor
Re: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
We had a major argument late April, lots of name calling and me demeening her words. So much regret but she was so badly hurt she wouldnt let me say sorry. Left me early May.
She is very hurt that she just doesnt want to hear about what I am doing to get well.
If I get well, not coming back. If I dont she cant live with me.
Catch 22.
I love her so much.
In response to: Re: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
pipSenior Contributor
Re: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
Dear Depression 101. I would say she, at the moment, doesn't trust you, or want to listen. Perhaps also, 'sorry' at that time wasn't enough. Maybe, for now, concentrate on getting well. If you know where she is, leave her alone. If you contact her, she may decide to relocate. If you concentrate on you and getting well and leave her alone, you may well find that once you PROVE you HAVE changed, she may also rethink and return. All I'm really saying is, time and proof is the answer. She needs proof that you are not the same person she left.
In response to: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
utopiaSenior Contributor
Re: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
Hi @depression101. I agree with @pip. You need to heal yourself first before you concentrate on anything else. That doesn't mean that it won't hurt not seeing you. But it will give both of you the chance to heal. So you are diagnosed with major depression. Who are you seeing for it? Do you have a opsychiatrist that you see - the one who diagnosed you. Do you see a psychologist for talking through your feelings, learning new coping techniques? Are you taking any medicine for the depression? What are you doing to try and change how you feel, how you are coping?
In response to: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
depression101Senior Contributor
Re: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
So many goid comments, thank you.
I live in remote WA, returned recently after stay in regionsl MHU. Immediately felt stress ss I got of the plane.
Seen psychiatrist, trying hard but regularly failing to put me first. I cant stop loving my wife. She keeps insisting we are over.
I get so frustrated with myself. I just dont seem able to communicate. Major short coming for me internslise me a lot.
I feel she wants to talk but history of me frightns her.
Hurts me a lot when she uses phrases like my past decision making was domestic violence. I was always just trying to take the worries on me. Was I so wrong.
In response to: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
depression101Senior Contributor
Re: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
Questions ans. No to psychiatrist who disgnosef me dt my remote location.
Yes on medication. Antidepresent and sleeping pills.
No to psychologist. Hard to get appt. At leadt 6 weeks. I feel this is my key, but cant get the time.
Not coping well at all. Very isolated and lonely.
Hope that answers
In response to: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
utopiaSenior Contributor
Re: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
@depression101. I have my psychiatrist appointments via SKYPE. I wonder if there is a psychologist service that uses Skype. May get you in quicker. Until then don't forget you have LifeLine & Beyond Blue you can call. If you start feeling worse, call the hospital you were at and talk to one of the psych staff. Any of these services will help get you over the hump until your counseling gets started. You mention your wife saying some of your past decisions were domestic abuse. Do you know why she says that? You may need to look into whaf she means by that. Look up Domestic violence definition - it doesn't have to be physical. Maybe that will help you see where your wife is coming from. Hang in there. Keep talking to us or lifeline until you get further help
In response to: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
depression101Senior Contributor
Re: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
Why is it that I feel I gave my wife all I had and yet I heart doing so made her feel I was cibtrolling her?
Why is it that I have times of uncontrollable sadness and tears?
In response to: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
depression101Senior Contributor
Re: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
Sorry bad typing on phone keypad.
Should read, "yet all I did seems to have Hurt her"
Additional. I love my wife. She has suggested I can move in to her place as I about to lose my place as it comes with my job that I can no longer do.
She says it will be, as friend only as she no longer feels love for me.
I want to be there but you can imagine my feelings.
I dont want to distress her with my feelings.
Advise on how to be a friend to someone you love whilst in the same house.
In response to: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
depression101Senior Contributor
Re: Depressed how fo I communicate with my wife
My Domestic Violence. I asked my wife how I hurt her. She was quite general but maybe that means it was a lot !!!. I hate the thought that I make her feel so abused. I never wanted to emotionally hurt her.
I accept this has being true.
The key phrase is I just stopped her feeling involved in our decisions. Worse still I disrepected her suggestions to a point she gave up taljjng to me.
I justified this to myself by believing I new best, transferring my work to my family. So wrong.
We're improving how you access SANE services, starting with Forums
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.