When to seek professional help

[alyssa3054]

I'm 18 years old and in the past few years have had some major changes in my life. 2 years ago my parents suprised me by announcing they were getting a divorce. Their relationship ended on somewhat good terms so that hasnt been too hard on me. In my senior year of high school, I began dating a depressed boy in my class. Over the past year, I've gotten very serious with him.

In that time, he has become more depressed and has made several suicide attempts. I find myself in a constant state of worry. Our relationship has it's ups and downs and I am willing to take whatever happens in order to stay with him.

My main question is when should I be worried about my mental health. I know I cannot physically "catch" depression from my boyfriend, but I feel that I am showing many symptoms of depression and I am wondering if any medication would help my moods.  Thanks for the help!

[RubyWitch]

mammo has given you some very good and wise advice. The only thing I feel, very strongly, that needs adding here is that since your b/f has actually made SEVERAL suicide attempts, he needs FAR more help than you can give him by offering support and encouragement! Not that that is wrong, by any means, but your b/f is crying out, desperately, for some REAL and IMMEDIATE help. No matter how much you love and care for this person,  no matter how much support and encouragement you give him, I don't believe you can give him what he needs by yourself. I think you need to do everything in your power to get your b/f the help he needs ASAP.
I realize this post was about you and your legitimate concerns about your own mental health, but you wrote:

  "Our relationship has it's ups and downs and I am willing to take whatever happens in order to stay with him."

While I admire your self-sacrificing attitude to stick by this person through all the obvious ups and downs, how are YOU going to feel if that part about "whatever happens" turns out to be a successful suicide attempt? I don't think you would have any questions about depression at that point. I don't write that to be harsh or without sympathy for the position you're in, which must be difficult, but I think at this point in time, the concern must be for your b/f.

Please let us know if we can help you in any other way.
Peace
Greenlydia

[mammo]

Sorry to hear about your parents, and hope you know that they both still love you very much. You may just be getting "down" due to your boyfriend's depression, being around someone who is depressed can do this.  I hope your boyfriend is getting help with this, and if not he should be.  You can be supportive and encourage him in every way, otherwise this is how it will be. Only a professional can determine if you are depressed, and if you have symptoms that are affecting your day to day life, then seek professional help.  You can learn coping skills and ways to not let your boyfroend's depression bring you down.  You're very young with a lot of living to do, so think about what is best for you and your emotional well being.  Take care...