Hello:<P>A quick background on my situation. 5 months ago my wife dropped the "I don't love you anymore" bomb on me. I was very shocked. We have had a great marriage for 12 years. We never fought, always communicated. She had several pepole that she was close to pass away within about two years, one was her mother whom she was extremely close to. In the five months she has been seeing a Psycologist. I asked her the other day if she felt that the counseling was helping. She told me that her feelings have not changed and that she still has no feelings for me. I believe that she is suffering from depression, with the loss of the close relatives. Her Psycologist has never mentioned depression, which seems strange to me since it is very apparent that she in a very sad and unhappy person. I would like her to go to a Psyciatrist sine I know that they are MD's. Can anyone tell me the real difference between a Psycologist and a Psyciatrist and do you think that I am correct in believing that she should she a Phyciatrist. It is so hard to understand when your wife of 12 years says that you are a great guy, husband, father, supporter, but she has no feelings for me. Needless to say the past five months have been pure hell for me. We have two young children and the thoughts of hurting them are killing me. Thanks for your replies.<P>Kevin<BR>

I believe the only difference is the ability to write scripts (prescriptions). If you think she is suffering from depression, talk to your family doctor first-he can make an evaluation and prescribe medication if necessary. He/She could also recommend a good counseling source and answer which would be better. <P>Your wife's psychologist may not be aware of your wife's behavior at home. He/She can only go on what is obvious and told to him/her.<P>It is very common for a person to feel like they are "out of love" while in the grips of a depression. Please do not do anything drastic until you and your wife figure out what is wrong.<P>Good luck

Becky:<P>Just how does a doctor determine that a person is suffering from depression? Do they do blood work or something. My wife told me that she doesn't want to go to a Phyciatrist, but, she will consider going to our family doctor. She's not very fond of doctors and is less fond of medication, she won't even take aspirin for a headache. I told her that we have to do everything to find out why she is so unhappy, especially for the kids. <P>I understand when you say that her Psycologist can only know what my wife tells her. I'm sure that she mentioned the deaths in her family to the Psycologist, that's why it's hard to understand why she suggests to my wife to separate and mentions nothing about depression.<P>Thanks for the reply.