How to tell if partner has depression?

rev_henry

Sorry to hear this. Have a look at this, there's obviously a big difference between feeling sad occasionally and being clinically depressed:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Depression/Pages/Symptoms.aspx
http://www.depressionalliance.org/

You do really need to get him to a GP as soon as possible. I've been in almost an identical situation, my OH was more accepting of me taking her to the GP though (sorry that's not a particularly helpful statement!). The GPs response will probably be to stick him on antidepressants and monitor the situation, but he will need support in other ways - antidepressants are a start but really aren't the be all and end all of treatment that they seem to be treated as all too often. I'd recommend getting a book such as Depression for Dummies. Not used that particular one, but I do have the one for the mental illness my OH was eventually diagnosed with and its excellent.