so my boyfriend is severely depressed and i don’t fully know how to help him. i try to support him in every way i can but i want to help him in every way im capable of. we’re long distance because he is a U.S. Marine however he’s home for a few weeks for his boot leave. he was doing so well following his graduation but recently he’s been talking about how bad his depression has been again and im not sure if it’s coming home or what that’s making it bad again but i hate seeing him this way. i keep reassuring him that im always here for him and always here to talk if he needs it and i give him time if he ever says he needs to be alone but he just seems so cold and empty. all i want is for him to be happy. he’s worked so hard recently and he’s the sweetest person ever and all he deserves is happiness and it kills me that i don’t seem to be helping him. 

can anyone give me advice and/or tips to support him to the best of my abilities or help him at all? i wish i could understand enough to know how to help but i don’t. i have disordered anxiety so my way of showing love can be slightly overwhelming or over the top at times but im working on it for him. i guess it can just be hard to have a relationship with someone who is severely depressed and also someone who is severely anxious because our needs are so different. i also just wish i knew how to communicate my own needs without being overwhelming to him especially being long distance again in a couple of weeks.