my boyfriend (m18) and I (f17) have been together for awhile. he is struggling a lot at home with his family. his household isn’t crazy but it isn’t the healthiest. him and his parents don’t have an awful relationship but it’s also not the best. he gets really drained from the constant lectures and degrading things he gets told. it ends up reflecting on us too, he doesn’t feel like he’s good enough for me. in reality, he is probably one of the best people i’ve ever met in my life. i’m afraid he’s getting depressed and isn’t sharing it with me.
i’m always there for him and tell him he’s more than enough, but he very stubborn about it. he also doesn’t like to be open because he doesn’t want my mood to get ruined since he’s upset or to give him any pity. i always encourage him to cry when he needs to because it’s good to let it out. but i don’t think he thinks i understand his situation which is why he’s scared to talk to me about it. if he has depression/borderline depression, i don’t want it to escalate further. does anyone have advice that they can give to support him and make him feel better ??
TL;DR
my boyfriend is going through a rough time and is showing signs of depression and I don’t know how to help or support him.
2 comments
Help him find someone to talk to about it (friend, family, counsellor), if there’s no one, encourage him to ‘journal’ his concerns. Invaluable for his being able to look back on that a week later.
he sounds anxious, I urge he try meditation
see my comments in this [Post](https://www.reddit.com/r/socialanxiety/comments/v8y9x0/22m_i_am_insecure_about_my_physical_health/)
your age? (17 or 18)
You’re already doing everything you can. You’re patient, you reassure him and you support him. You can’t provide the help he needs. In order for him to really get better he’ll need professional help. You can direct him (not pressure or push him) to people who can help him. But also never forget your own mental health. Your health comes first. You are your own first priority.