How do I deal with boyfriends severe depression?

First off, let me say I love my boyfriend. I want to make this relationship work.





Now, we did not meet under the best of circumstances. I met him in an outpatient rehab/pysch hospital. Both of us have a history of substance abuse and mental disorder. I am diagnosed bipolar he has severe depression. Currently I have things a lot more together then he does. I am by no means healthy at this point in my life (can't get sober). But I can still have a job or find a reason to wake up in the morning. He can't. He is on disablity and the past few weeks his depression has gotten horrible. I don't know what to do.





He is always miserable. He says negative things about himself. He said to me yesterday that he might kill himself in the next year. I suggested he go to a hospital, but he and I both know that pysch hospitals don't 'fix' the problem. You are there under observation , treated like a caged bird, for three days, and suddenly you healthy enough to be free.





I'm trying my best to be supportive, because I KNOW what depression feels like. But it's eating me up inside. His pain is almost too much to handle. And I hate that I have been thrown in this role of 'the strong one'. I don't feel like I have any reason to complain about my problems, or share when I'm struggling, because he is always worse off then me.





His depression, and anti-depressants, cause him to have little sex drive. Or when he wants too an erection is difficult (damn effexor). It's really frustrating for me. I know that's selfish, but it is.





How can I support him and take care of myself at the same time? I feel like I have no one to talk to. I can't put all my problems on my boyfriend because he can't handle it. I'm so afraid he is going to hurt himself.





I do not want to break up. And even if it was the healthy thing to do, now wouldn't be a good time because he is too vulnerable and something like that will push him over the edge.





How can I make this relationship work???How do I deal with boyfriends severe depression?
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I can't take you how to make your relationship work but if he don't make happy you no what to do
I've suffered from both moderate depression and severe anxiety. If his depression is still this bad, shouldn't he maybe try another antidepressant that might make it more manageable? I am on prozac, and that stuff knocks out my depression and mutes my anxiety very well.





I definitely think it's worth waiting it out with him too, because this will pass away and things will change. I'm sorry to hear it's so difficult for both of you right now. Does he see a psychologist/psychiatrist regularly? Does he pay attention to his food/vitamin intake? I hear that fish oil can help support depression to make it better.