Dear Joyce – My RN Wife is Depressed

My wife is a nurse, and has been one for a very long time. Lately, she's been coming home depressed about her work. It's happened before, but now it's more frequent. I've tried to talk with her about it, but she doesn't want to talk. I don't think it's about her coworkers or even about job security – she's pretty established at the hospital. Any suggestions as to how I can help her? Or even just understand what's going on?

Sincerely,

Husband

Depression is a major problem in nursing, and your wife's problem could stem from any of a number of issues related to the job: the routine of it, burnout, stress, or even a lack of sleep.

It may be that she's not ready to talk, or doesn't know for sure what the problem is herself in order to talk about it, or doesn't want to burden you. Or its roots could be unrelated to work, and could be problems within your marriage or family, and this could be the reason that she is not yet ready to talk.

Continue to be supportive, and tell her that you're ready to talk whenever she is, but don't badger her to talk to you.

Good luck to both of you.