Wow, it's a bigger problem than I originally thought!
My Missus suffers depression, has done since our little one was born, it was a traumatic experience to say the least, she's also had anxiety problems most of her life...
While I don't completely understand it, (I don't suffer my self), i get most of the things she goes through, we talk about it and i can see a little of it in myself. I try my best to make her life a little easier, some days she won't get out of bed, other days she has no problem going out to the shops, but then her mind wonders, becomes paranoid of what people are thinking and needs to go home.
While I can't really help on the subject, I will say, talking to the right person certainly helps, but the right person isn't just a gp or specialist, you need to be comfortable with them too, and in my Missus and my experience, pills just don't seem to work after awhile, time for a different type.
But I will agree, being close to someone with the same problems does hold you back, my Missus wasn't speaking to one of her friends for a little while, she seemed so much better, and no only I was saying it, but other friends too, but after starting to speak to them again, she seems to have gone backwards.
While I prolly haven't contributed much, or at all to the subject, you've certainly helped me out and hopefully in turn, my Missus.
I hope it gets better for you man, I really do, just don't push her.
At the end of the day, it's all in your head, and I mean no disrespect in that, but I think it's the 1st thing to understand and take on board.
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