My partner is suffering from various bouts of depression. It ranges from aggressive behavior to hysterical crying and weeping. We talk about things together, but she just can’t seem to look forward to things or see the good in anything. She is extremely defensive. I’d like some advice on helping her to open up to me without making her feeling like I’m patronizing her.
Advice: How long as she been this way? There are some helpful books out; Healing the Shame that Binds, by John Bradshaw (it’s kind of a guy’s book) and Happiness is a Choice by Helmfelt is also good. Will she go to her doctor and tell him/her about what she is experiencing? Let me know these things and I’ll give you more of my thoughts on what it might be.