My partner was diagnosed with a terminal condition 8 years ago. His condition is getting steadily worse, but very slowly. I want us to make the best of the years we have left together, but he is stuck in depression. He refuses to come out with me even though he is still able to walk. The only times we go out together is when he has a hospital or GP appointment. He has no friends. He complains about everything non-stop until I want to scream. He sits in his chair watching television all day. I spoke to our GP about him being depressed and the only response was bring him to see me. He refuses to see a counsellor or try physiotherapy. I just can't get through to him and I feel we are pulling in 2 different directions.
The only way I can cope is to go out of the house, out of earshot, and tell myself this is my time and I won't think about him until I get home again. This feels wrong, but it is impossible to break through his bottomless self-pity and have a proper conversation with him. He talks at me, not to me, and it is like a battering ram going at my head day in and day out.
I can cope with the extra physical workload of caring, but I feel like giving up on him mentally and letting him stew in his own self-pity. Does anyone have any tips?
The only way I can cope is to go out of the house, out of earshot, and tell myself this is my time and I won't think about him until I get home again. This feels wrong, but it is impossible to break through his bottomless self-pity and have a proper conversation with him. He talks at me, not to me, and it is like a battering ram going at my head day in and day out.
I can cope with the extra physical workload of caring, but I feel like giving up on him mentally and letting him stew in his own self-pity. Does anyone have any tips?