Product Description

Living with someone who is depressed is one of the loneliest feelings in the world. You're trapped with someone you know you love, and yet the only side of them you see makes you miserable and confused. There's plenty of help out there for your partner, but what about you? How do you cope? When Caroline Carr's partner of 20 years became depressed, it was a shock. But slowly she learnt the techniques she needed to cope without being dragged down herself, and was inspired to write this book. From her own experience and from talking to others in the same boat, she imparts advice and support on: How to look after yourself and the rest of your family; how to support your partner; understanding depression and how it affects you; strategies to get you through; where to get help. Caroline's very honest account of her relationship will show you how she coped, and how you can cope too.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13239 in Books
• Published on: 2009-10-15
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Review
This is by far the best book to have been written by a carer of a depressed partner. It is moving, practical, down to earth and personal... This book is an obligatory read. --Paul Lanham, Vice-President of Depression Alliance

From the Author
Millions of people suffer with depression. Therefore millions of partners and families and friends are affected indirectly too.

When my partner became depressed, I felt confused, bewildered, sad, helpless, angry, resentful and very alone. It was a horrible time for him, and for our family. I looked for help and guidance, but there didn't seem to be anything specifically for partners. So I decided to write about my own experience in order to help other people. I talked to others about their experience of living with a partner who is depressed, and included tips and techniques that had helped me to cope.

The first edition of this book was called LIVING WITH THE BLACK DOG. I am delighted that this is now into a second edition. I am so glad that the book continues to be a help and support. And I'm grateful for the opportunity to reassure those who live with a partner who is depressed, that they are most definitely not alone, and that somehow - they will find a way through.

From the Back Cover
How can you cope when your partner is depressed?

Living with someone who is depressed is one of the loneliest feelings in the world. There's help out there for your partner, but what about you?

Find out how you can get the support you need, whilst supporting your partner at the same time. Author Caroline Carr writes from personal experience, sharing her own story of what happened when her partner of 20 years became depressed. She shares advice and strategies on:

-Looking after yourself and your family
-How to support your partner
-Understanding depression
-Where to get help.

Caroline's very honest account will show you how she and others like her coped, and how you can too.

Customer Reviews

Thank you Caroline!
I ordered 'Living with the Black Dog' as soon as I saw Caroline talking about it on TV. This book has helped me so much. As I sped through it, I could draw parallels with my own situation. My husband has been depressed for two years, and it has been the most perplexing and miserable time of my life. Our whole family has been affected. It is so helpful to read how this experience has been for someone else, and it's also been useful to read other people's stories in the case studies she uses. There are loads of tips on how to help yourself to cope. I wish I'd known about some of these before. One thing I have found liberating is the realization that it is OK to distance myself. Caroline Carr explains how to do this, and she even gives examples of ways to speak to someone who is depressed. The whole thing is fascinating really. Thanks Caroline - I'd reccommend this to anyone who lives with someone who is depressed.

Quick Read, No Quick Fixes - Uplifting.
This is a short book, easy to read (which is very helpful when you are faced with dealing with a depressed individual and feeling confused and at a loss what to do yourself). There are many self-help books out there, some heavy going - I have ploughed through several making notes! This one lightens the load and helps you to remember to take care of yourself too, rather than allowing yourself to be dragged down. It is also very reassuring to find that your experiences are similar to other people's and that you are not alone and nor are you the cause of the problem.

Well Written
I managed to read this book in one sitting as it was so easy to read. There are some nice light humorous comments at times and you do feel for the author and the situation. There are plenty of useful tips on how to deal with a depressed person but i have dropped one star off the rating because unfortunatly my situation is quite different and i couldn't relate to most things. On the whole i would recommend however - there is lots of useful info on depression in general and some useful contacts.