• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Storied Mind

Recover Life from Depression

  • Home
  • About
    • Commenting Guidelines
    • Contact
  • START HERE
    • Archives
  • Self-Help
    • Recovery Stories
  • Recovery Ebooks
    • Surviving Depression Together
    • A Mind for Life
You are here: Home / Depressed Partners / The Surviving Depression Together Ebook Is Now Available

The Surviving Depression Together Ebook Is Now Available

by John Folk-Williams 22 Comments

Ebook cover image

I’m pleased to announce that the first Storied Mind ebook is now available. Surviving Depression Together contains new versions of more than 20 posts on relationships published here over the past five years as well as completely new content and material previously published only in the newsletter. It has all been edited and organized into a smoothly flowing reading experience.

Here is an excerpt from the introduction:

“I’ve been married for over 40 years and spent most of that time in one phase or another of depression. My wife experienced much pain because of my behavior, and we came close to splitting up more than once. From reading dozens of stories online, including many sent to Storied Mind, I know that what we went through is not uncommon – though the outcome is often less happy than it has been for us.

The stories I read – mostly from women – tell of hurt, confusion, anger and desperation at the sudden transformation of their partners. They face strangers who flare up suddenly or withdraw in silence, who blame and threaten, who say they need to leave to find happiness. The stories of depressed partners sound a lot like mine. Little talk, lots of anger, emotional distance, dreams of escape – the list goes on. It varies with each person, but the result is the same. The relationship is threatened at its core.

If you’re going through this kind of agony, whether you’re the one suffering from depression or the partner facing the loss of the person you knew, I can say that it is possible to survive depression together. For us, it was by far the hardest and most demanding thing we had ever done, and there were many times when we were convinced there was no hope.

… This ebook describes what we went through, some of the methods that helped us deal with the illness and ideas about what to do if nothing works.

The theme is healing – of the depressed partner, of the partner trying to adapt to life changed by their loved one’s illness and of the relationship created between them. This is not a step-by-step manual but a record of personal struggles, of the hard work of getting well and, most important, of resilience and hope.”

If you should buy the book and find it helpful, I hope you’ll take a minute to spread the word online.

Let me know what you think and how I can improve the content and format for this series.

  • share:
  • facebook Recommend on Facebook
  • twitter Tweet about it
  • email Tell a friend

Related Posts

  • Recovery from Depression Ebook
    10th Anniversary Depression Ebook Sale

    Ten years have passed since I started writing Storied Mind, and I'd like to celebrate…

  • Surviving Work, Surviving Depression

    A few months ago, Therese Borchard of Beyond Blue was describing in one of her…

  • Separated man and woman watching sunset
    How Depression Spreads

    Depression spreads through the closest relationships almost like a communicable disease. I learned the hard…

Filed Under: Depressed Partners, Relationship Tagged With: ebooks, marriage, partners

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Curtley says

    July 29, 2016 at 10:50 pm

    Hi John

    I have been unable to purchase your book as I am a student living in South Africa, im not even sure how much i’d have to pay. anyway, my girlfriend and I have been hit by her depression over the past few months; the better part of this year actually. And she’s now at the point where she wants to take another break. this time for longer, saying she possibly may not return. I’ve read a few articles on helping a depressed loved one (I havent been perfect in my adherence to the guidelines) etc but most of them have some sort of therapy involved. this isnt an option for us right now as her father was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer earlier this year. a month or 2 after her first bout with depression which was debilitating to say the least. she also has a 5-year old son who is pretty much the only thing keeping her going most days. she also spends most of her days at home taking care of her dad. she is also a student but only goes to campus once a week so she has no time or
    money to go to therapy right now. I’ve tried to advise her that taking another break is not what we needed, that its not what she needed. she says usually she can bring herself back from depression (she’s had it for years,of course) but this time she cannot and she says shes not getting any motivation or any boost of energy from me. there are things i’v suggested she try, hobbies etc – the usual. which she doesnt do (expectedly) but she wont let me do anything with her neither. i’ve asked her why she wont let me go through the process and just do these sorts of things with her and she said she cant explain because I wouldn’t understand. I guess I’m just at my wits end right now and I want to know if theres anything I can do to fix things between us before she decides to end our Relationship and if she does end things, do I then move on like I usually would or do I just take it as her depression talking and simply hang around or something ? or if she decides to stay with me, how do I go about really helping her? because up until now, clearly there’s something I’m not doing. we’ve been friends for many years and became romantically involved 2 years ago but have only really been dating for a little over a year now. I love her with all my heart. I wouldn’t be here if I didnt. do you have any advice at all?

    Reply
  2. MAGDALENA says

    February 20, 2016 at 5:10 am

    Hi, how can we purchase Surviving Depression Together in Australia, it seems only USA cards are accepted. Thank you.

    Reply
  3. Tracy says

    May 23, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    Hey John, in going through a similar experience with my depressed husband. He left me 4 days ago for the second time in a month saying he’s no longer in love with me. I’m devastated, it seems out the blue for me. He’s turned so cold and distant towards me. …. it’s killing me. I don’t know if it’s the depression talking or his true feelings. He says He’s felt this way for almost a year, that he’s been living a lie but I never felt it or had a clue. He told me everyday that he loved me and we had an active, fulfilling sexlife… I’m so confused by him.
    I wanted to read your book but I can’t seem to get it in Amazon UK, is there a radon why?
    Please offer some light on this… all of this if you can. Thanx

    Reply
    • John Folk-Williams says

      May 23, 2015 at 4:32 pm

      Hi, Tracy –

      The ebook is only available from the Storied Mind website. There are several links to the landing page for it – the file is a PDF, which opens in most browsers or Adobe Reader, iBooks or other readers.

      John

      Reply
  4. Eric says

    April 9, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    Hi,

    Without boring anyone with details of a 20 year long constant fight I have a question.
    Is it normal to know there is this book which can hopefully help surviving depression together with my wife but that I am unsure if, at this late stage, I actually want this marriage to continue. Perhaps no one can answer me because it’s probably different from case to case but truthfully I am at the end of wanting to try and make this marriage work.

    Reply
  5. mamallama says

    June 20, 2013 at 10:19 pm

    John, you have probably heard this a million times (or perhaps only a thousand, or a hundred, but numerous, nonetheless), but Surviving Depression Together is a godsend. It may or may not have saved any lives around here, but I feel the miracle that it is when I read the stories that could have been written by my husband with a few details changed. Nowhere else have I found a stronger reflection of what is happening in our life, and I will read your book daily. It is my new bible. Thank you so much for the effort of Storied Mind. You are performing a life-saving service.

    Reply
  6. Natalie says

    October 15, 2012 at 12:44 am

    Thanks John so much for sharing your story. It has helped my husband and I understand depression as we related to so much of your story it was scary, but in the most unbelieveable way. Your story was invaluable THANK YOU 🙂

    Reply
    • John Folk-Williams says

      October 18, 2012 at 12:16 pm

      Hi, Natalie –

      Thanks for letting me know the ebook was helpful. I hope you’re both doing well.

      John

      Reply
  7. Lonnie says

    June 6, 2012 at 5:20 am

    thanks for the news emails..

    Reply
  8. John Folk-Williams on Facebook says

    May 29, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    Wendy Love commented on Storied Mind:

    Congratulations! This book sounds wonderful. How hopeful for other couples to share in your stories. Thanks for sharing your journey.

    Reply
  9. Wendy Love says

    May 29, 2012 at 6:13 am

    Congratulations! This book sounds wonderful. How hopeful for other couples to share in your stories. Thanks for sharing your journey.

    Reply
    • John Folk-Williams says

      May 29, 2012 at 10:56 pm

      Thank you, Wendy –

      – and thanks for all that you share of your journey as well.

      John

      Reply
  10. Judy says

    May 29, 2012 at 12:52 am

    John, just wanted to tell you that I’ve already finished your book and it left me sorry that it was done, so I’m very much looking forward to your next one. You’ve written about depression in such a detailed, personal way that I’ve rarely seen. Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • John Folk-Williams says

      May 29, 2012 at 10:55 pm

      Thank you, Judy –

      Wow, what more could a writer hope to hear! I’m hoping the next one will be a little easier to produce, now that I’ve learned the mechanics.

      John

      Reply
  11. Judy says

    May 26, 2012 at 8:38 am

    John, congratulations on this important accomplishment! I have no doubt that your book will bring comfort to a lot of people and I will most certainly recommend it to others. I’m going to order it right now!

    Reply
  12. Janet Singer says

    May 26, 2012 at 6:49 am

    Congratulations on this wonderful milestone. I’m sure you have helped, and will continue to help, so many people.

    Reply
    • John Folk-Williams says

      May 29, 2012 at 10:51 pm

      Thank you, Janet, for your many supportive comments. You are one who helps so many, and your comments are especially important to me.

      John

      Reply
  13. Jocelyn says

    May 25, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    Dear John: congratulations. So happy that you finally completed this great book, Will order soon and share with others. Thanks again for sharing your pain and your hope. Thank you for your courage and and strength. You have saved and helpedmany people but I am grateful God led me to find your website when it felt like I was going to die to save me in a very personal way. Reading your words slowly brought me out of the abyss just enough to start my recovery. I can’t wait to read the book. Peace and happiness. Most grateful.

    Reply
    • John Folk-Williams says

      May 29, 2012 at 10:53 pm

      Thank you, Jocelyn –

      I’m so grateful and humbled that I could be of help to you when you were most in need.

      All my best —

      John

      Reply
  14. Liz says

    May 25, 2012 at 4:10 pm

    Hi John– I’ve been commenting since 2009 on your posts regarding relationships. It’s been instrumental in my understanding on what my partner is going through and the effect it had on our relationship. Storied Mind was a life saver. I just purchased your book and I’m so proud to own it and read it. Thank you and congratulations.

    Reply
    • John Folk-Williams says

      May 29, 2012 at 10:52 pm

      Thank you, Liz –

      It’s folks like you who keep me going. I hope all is going well for you.

      John

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Storied Mind says:
    May 25, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    The Surviving Depression Together Ebook Is Now Available…

    The Surviving Depression Together Ebook Is Now Available I’m pleased to announce, after many technical…

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Sign Up for Email Delivery

Get updates and blog posts by email.

Recovery Ebook Available

A Mind for Life: From Depression to Living Well


Recovery from Depression Ebook

The inner work of getting your life back from depression.


LEARN MORE or


Buy Now Button


Relationships Ebook

Surviving Depression Together


Surviving Depression Together

"John, this is a ... much needed resource. Thanks for writing it!"

- Therese Borchard, author of Beyond Blue


Click here to learn more...

Living Depressed

Depression affects emotions, mental abilities, self-concept, behavior, relationships and the entire body. These core posts describe the full range of symptoms affecting daily life. Read More.

Choices in Healing

Hoping for recovery gives you a motive but not a method for getting there. This section has posts about therapies and healing methods you can work with either on your own or with professional guidance. Read more.

Living Well

If you've learned how to manage your depression, you'll want a fulfilling life rather than one dominated by fear that the illness might return. In this section, you'll find posts about how to work toward that goal. Read More

Relationships in Crisis

One of the hardest challenges of living with depression is holding onto your closest relationships. This section features posts on how to help a relationship survive. Read More.

Recent Posts

  • Notebook: Healing the Whole Person
  • Why Writing Helps Heal Depression – 2
  • Why Writing Can Help Heal Depression – 1
  • Re-Reading the Story of Depression’s Meaning
  • Depersonalized, Derealized, Dissociative and Disappearing

Search Storied Mind

Categories

Recent Comments

  • Em on When Depressed Partners Blame and Leave
  • Lou on How Can You Communicate After Your Depressed Partner Leaves?
  • Teamwork on How Can You Communicate After Your Depressed Partner Leaves?
  • Ms-unfit on Depressed: No Friends, No Life
  • Ms-unfit on Depressed: No Friends, No Life
  • Karin on About
  • Lost on How Can You Communicate After Your Depressed Partner Leaves?
  • Tea on How Can You Communicate After Your Depressed Partner Leaves?

Privacy and Cookie Policy

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

Terms of Use

DISCLAIMER: None of the content on this site should be interpreted as medical or therapeutic advice about the treatment of depression or any mental illness. If you feel you need help, you should seek treatment from qualified professionals.

AFFILIATES: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Copyright © 2022 · Dynamik-Gen on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in