[Faunus]

Sadly my depression stems from the loss of my son. I've done well to deal with it, but some days its to much. I've not been able to dress in years, not since my wife and I moved in witth my parents for stability. I started my own business this time last year and I'm just worried because we're going through our first slump. It has helped me deal with my stress and anxiety greatly, but has also compounded it. I lost touch with our humble little group for a while for these reasons as well. Its why I mostly troll the welcome forums. They're a happy place to meet people! Sorry for this tangent. Just can't divulge this to much to my wife because her depression is far worse than mine. Thanks.

Yeah, there's little that can be said to instantly cheer someone up when they've experienced that kind of loss. The healing comes from within and can't be forced by anyone. But compassion from others is a start to dealing with it. I'm a parent, I can't express the depths of what I feel for you. And I can't imagine how tough it is to be in a depression when your partner is a more depressive personaliy. I'm not saying you guys are crazy or messed up at all, but some therapudic thinking and practices would probably be very useful. Ever since my mother started her internship as a cognitive therapist, I have been blown away, and know the value of what they know and how useful it is in dealing with anger and other strong emotions. I could even be hypothetical and get some advice on dealing with grief and depression for you, since professional help is expensive. Her and I didn't even used to get along. She was an angry, distrusting person who had no idea who I was..> She now has the ability to admit that and I'm blown away because I didn't think that would ever happen. Taking the advice she has learned to give has changed her so much, sometimes I almost wonder if she's my mom... What I'm getting at is that my family can get through a lot with the right "tools" and it's especially useful to people who need to be their own pillar of strength... which sounds like your situation.

Oh and I didn't realize you wanted help on a story... I'd be happy to read it and be a guinea pig, since I'm always working on a story, too... I know how much work it is. :)