Posted by jlynne on February 4, 2005, at 14:53:35
In reply to Two depressed romantic partners..., posted by jay on February 2, 2005, at 21:01:30
Jay, my husband and I met here in babble last fall. We have both been dealing with depression most of our lives, and at first we asked the same questions about whether or not it was a good idea to consider a relationship together.
It has turned out that because we understand depression from our own personal experiences, we are able to work through situations together without judgment and without taking each other's emotional triggers personally. Also, at the times when we are both beginning to spiral downward, there seems to have evolved a natural tendency for us to subconsciously determine which one of us has the more pressing need, and we almost automatically shift gears and tend to the other's needs for that time. There seems to be a unique healing process taking place during those times, as the one giving the support is able to rise out of their own darkness through caring for the other.
The important thing, in my opinion, is to create a safe environment for each other in which you can both participate in the giving and the receiving.
Good luck to you both . . . Ron and I are living proof that this can work.
. . . jlynne
poster:jlynne
thread:452033
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050202/msgs/453258.html