A long journey to overcome my husband’s depression

I experienced the most challenging part of life right after I got married. I was only 17 years old when I decided to live with a man already aged 32 at that time. And in my first three years with him, I experienced the most painful part of my relationship. He was a very jealous person, to the point that I was not allowed to go out from our own house round the clock. I felt like I was in prison, treated like I was a criminal or a whore or someone who could not be trusted. Moreover, whenever I asked him, he would always give me the same answer: he was only doing it because he loves me very much.

I endured all his disorders without complaints, which I thought no other woman could do. I was ashamed to go back to my family for help because I failed them. I only prayed a lot and tried my best to keep myself relaxed and cool regardless of everything I had been through.

Little did I know when we already had kids that the man I was living with could have psychological problems. He was paranoid of all the things that might happen around him. He was an anti-social person. He did not enjoy gatherings or all happy occasions. He also had mood swings that sometimes I found hard to understand. However, I kept myself strong for my kids and for my family. I did not want them to grow up with a broken family.

I could keep myself in control because I had my eldest sister, who was always willing to listen and comfort me even if we were miles apart. She always reminded me those bad things would pass for sure. She constantly told me not to give up because I had kids. Moreover, she always said that God always hears our prayers. She was a person I could pour out and help me think about solutions in daily lives together. She lightened the emotional load in my heart. It would have been a worse situation if both my husband and I had been depressed and given up taking care of the family together.

Thanks to our Lord for sending us the right person who could help him treat his condition: a well-known psychiatrist recommended by a friend.

After taking some serotonin prescribed by the psychiatrist, my husband showed improvement in only three days as his anxiety disorder was reduced, and he was no longer afraid of minor things like hot bathing water.

Slowly, he showed his genuine smile on some occasions and in family gatherings.

Years had passed, and we are in our 17th year of being married, he is still having some issues with his mental health, but unlike before, he is now more relaxed and easier to handle.

Dealing with emotional problems is not an easy task, especially when you are weak and fearful of all the things that might happen and not dealing with it the right way. Prayers and support are both critical.