Difficulty dealing with partners depression and my own life.

LegacyUser

Hi.

I'm currently going through quite a bad patch and I'm not too sure if this is just me venting or if I'm looking for advice. I'm 28 years old and living with my girlfriend of 3 years. I am about to enter into my final year of a degree and as such recently found myself (back in May) in a position where I had to choose between a business I was running since before college or college. The business itself had hit a brick wall and I was in disagreements with my other Partners about how it should go and I decided to leave as I feel I need to give more energy to my degree which will hopefully yield better employment results.
However since leaving the project I have found myself very isolated. Most of my social scene was wrapped up with the other people I worked with and while I didn't leave on bad terms I don't really want to be around them discussing the project etc.

So I've spent the majority of the summer on my own at home with my girlfriend and occasionally our new house mate, whom I have absolutely nothing in common with and our conversations generally find themselves losing interest about three sentences after 'how was work' Don't get me wrong he's a lovely guy I just have nothing to talk to him about.

During the Summer my girlfriend has also been diagnosed with depression. She has always been prone to dark periods and while I'm incredibly glad that she has finally been diagnosed and can now begin treatment the atmosphere in the house has needless to say been unpleasant. Since being diagnosed she has taken a leave out of college herself and has just dropped out of the world and become considerably worse, often spending days at a time in her dressing gown staring at the wall, not washing or eating. I've tried literally everything I can to find anything to cheer her up or make her feel supported but nothing makes any difference.

Lately we've been starting to argue as I am literally running on empty. I've spent the whole summer trying to re-adjust my own life and try keep her from tipping over the edge but I have just reached breaking point.

I know it's not her fault but the medical system in this country is atrocious and she has been getting bounced around from doctor to doctor for over a month now and has yet to begin any treatment. I feel terrible for getting into rows but I am just stuck in the house with her, all day 24/7 with nothing to do. We've tried going out but she just doesn't want to do anything. I have very little money myself so it's not like I can afford to go and do anything on my own and there's only so many long walks you can take.

I grew up with my father suffering from depression and I'm terrified of spending the rest of my life in a situation where my whole home life can change on the flip of an unpredictable coin.

I know things will improve once I get back to college and she gets onto the medication (and then hopefully back to college herself) but everything seems pretty bleak at the moment.

Can anyone share their experiences with regards dealing with a partner with depression or leaving a long term social scene?

Taltos

OP while we have approved this thread please note per our charter posters cannot give you any medical advice about your partner or the treatment of their depression.

All the best
Taltos