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Relationship vs insecurity vs depression

User Profile: Olazaw
Olazaw June 23rd, 2019

I've been struggling with depression for the past 5 years and have been in a relationship for 4. At the beginning of dating I told my partner that I am depressed and being with me might get difficult and made sure she understood what it really meant. Since the beginning of this year I've been experiencing a relapse and it's been really bad on our relationship. We've decided to give each other some space, she wants to be a writer so I proposed to stay behind and for her to go to Iceland, to work there and write her new novel. She's been gone for 2 months now, at the begging it was nice, we finally felt how much we love each other and miss each other's company.

Lately she has been telling me how much she doesn't want me to talk about my depression. She says I'm too negative for her to handle. She also told me that in the past year I gained too much weight and that I am not as attractive to her as I was before. She's been telling me for a while that she would want me to lose my belly. Tonight she told me she would be ashamed to go out in public with me.

It hurts me because she knows how insecure I am. She knows how much I talk about hating myself and my appearance. I am really confused and hurt. Sometimes it feels like we should just break up. And the worst part is that I'm dreading it not only because I love her and can't imagine living without her but also because I am financially dependent on her.

I am confused by my own feelings and I can't decide what to do.

2
User Profile: freshLight64
freshLight64 June 23rd, 2019

@Olazaw

Hey there, hopefully you are doing well. There's a few things I would like to point out;

Lately she has been telling me how much she doesn't want me to talk about my depression. (I understand how tough depression can be, and that you needed her support throughout all of this. I also do see her point of view, because after a bit depression can definetly take a toll on the other person when it is often talked about. I'm not saying you shouldn't talk about it, but it should not be where its the main topic of the conversation) She says I'm too negative for her to handle. (I understand she seems overwhelmed, which is normal, but the way she is saying all of this doesn't come across as compasionate) She also told me that in the past year I gained too much weight and that I am not as attractive to her as I was before. (They are ways to say this without coming across as critical, and from the sounds of it she is not taking into account how this makes you feel. I will tell you that staying healthy and excercise can definetly make you appear attractive, but for you its tough because of the way depression has taken over, so I can see why you gained weight) She's been telling me for a while that she would want me to lose my belly. (She could have also say this differently as well, there was zero need for her to say it like this) Tonight she told me she would be ashamed to go out in public with me. (She crossed the line here, now she is being negative and putting you down by saying this. She doesn't deserve you or your time)

It hurts me because she knows how insecure I am. (Its completly normal you feel hurt, those words came from someone you love so much) She knows how much I talk about hating myself and my appearance. (I feel she should have been more considerate and compassionate of your situation by saying things that comes from a loving way. I do see that for you it's important to talk about how you feel, and you should, but it should be in a moderate way. I feel like you are putting so much on her in terms of support) I am really confused and hurt. (It's okay to feel this way, her words were hurtful) Sometimes it feels like we should just break up. And the worst part is that I'm dreading it not only because I love her and can't imagine living without her but also because I am financially dependent on her. (It's normal you are feeling confused. One thing I would like to point out is that two people should have their own individuality in the relationship, but in this one your individuality relies on what she does, what she says and how she feels about you. It's really important to tackle the issues of depression with a therapist because I don't think your gf is capable of having empathy. We have to really see how our behavior and what we say might impact the other person)

1 reply
User Profile: Olazaw
Olazaw OP June 29th, 2019

@freshLight64

Thank you for writing all of this. It really helped to look at everything from a distance.

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