Hi all!

Almost a year ago my boyfriend lost his business due to issues out of his control. Since that happened he has become increasingly depressed. For awhile I let it be because I knew he was grieving the loss of something he had poured his heart and soul into and that the betrayal he was feeling following the closing of his business was normal. This to me was just a part of the grieving process so I chose to not push him, be supportive, and just be there when he needed me. As time has gone on his depression has ebbed and flowed. Sometimes he seems happier but the moment something doesn't go the way he is expecting he immediately thinks everyone is out to get him and that nothing will ever go right for him.

He is drinking a lot, smoking cigarettes, letting his appearance go, does not want to leave the house for periods of time followed by other times wanting to go out every night and get drunk with his friends. He has lost his sex drive, which was always healthy previously. He also tells me that he cares about me but that he is confused about what is going on and that he feels that his glass his empty so to speak and that he feels like a failure and a loser.

I am at a loss. I know I can't actually help him because this is something he truly needs to work through. I am trying my best to be supportive and a good listener when he wants to talk but it is getting increasingly difficult for me to maintain my own positivity and happiness. I have begun to have bad dreams and I will sometimes cry easily over something so small and I have never cried easily or been highly emotional. I find myself not wanting to share how I am feeling with him because I do not want to add to his burden. I am just at a point where I would just like some advice on how to handle this and if there's something I can do. Please help. I love him very much and I just want him to be happy and work through this. Sometimes I feel like we should break up so he can figure it out and I don't have to keep having my mental state impacted, but then I feel so guilty because I would never want to leave him at his lowest, plus I really do not want to end the relationship.

I am just so confused.