Dealing with depression can be a really tough task, and if you are standing on the sidelines while your partner is battling depression, it can feel like a helpless experience. It can be confusing, frustrating, and overwhelming to understand your partner while they’re going through this trying time. You might even begin to feel responsible for your partner’s depression, in some way. If you feel this, you are not alone.
Once you know that your spouse or partner is experiencing depression, make sure that you are present for them as often as you can be. Carefully considering their needs and demands, being attentive towards their health, and safeguarding their happiness is crucial. Making sure to help your partner feel satisfied with whatever they are able to achieve in their everyday routines becomes extremely important, too.
Depression is an isolating illness, and by that nature, it’s also one that can also have a negative impact on relationships. Leaving loved ones alone and isolated is not the solution; rather, focusing on helping them through their anguish and pain can help them get through and overcome. Their mood for major parts of the day is full of sadness, hopelessness, and loneliness. By helping them understand and manage their episodes, you can show your partner that you support and love them, even if that can be hard for them to see.
Supporting Your Struggling Partner
Taking concrete steps towards managing depression in your partner is a beneficial way to support them. Wondering how you can better help them out? Here are some steps you can follow to support your partner:
#1. Gain knowledge about depression from your doctor, online sources, and healthcare professionals. The more information you have about the signs and symptoms, treatment plans, and medications, the better you can help.
#2. Create a supportive environment at home where there is respect for their space, alone time, mood swings, and more. Lifestyle changes can also make a big difference during the treatment process of depression. You can help them focus on healthy eating, exercise, and creating a low-stress environment.
#3. Take them to the healthcare professional that helps them with their depression at regular intervals, even if they want to ignore their appointments. Regular checkups help keep the depression episodes under control.
#4. Spend time with them! Rejoice about the good old times, talking about family trips, happy moments, and achievements in life.
#5. To help them avoid declining energy levels, help them rejuvenate through the day with fun talks or entertaining activities.
#6. They might forget about their medications, but you must ensure they follow a strict routine when it comes to taking prescribed medicines.
#7. There are certain questions you must avoid asking your partner, like “what led them to depression?” Consult your dedicated healthcare professional for more information about helpful questions you can ask.
#8. Keep track of their substance use. Substance use disorders commonly co-occur with depression. Keep an eye on this to avoid further health complications.
Read about the warning signs of suicide, as the risk of a person taking his/her life is always elevated during a major depressive disorder. A few signs could be talking about suicide, withdrawing socially, becoming preoccupied with the thoughts of death, or feeling hopeless and overwhelmed.
Take Care of Yourself, Too
When helping your partner with depression, don’t forget that your mental and emotional health is also important to maintain. You need to make sure that sufficient time and attention is paid to the upkeep of your own health. It is important to understand and monitor your feelings and your own mental state when your partner is facing depression. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
- Changes in appetite
- Irregular sleep routine
- Loss of interest in usual daily routines
- Emotional outbursts
- Social conflicts or family disconnects
Understand that, by occasionally focusing on what you are going through, along with supporting your partner in their journey, you are not blaming them or rebuking them. Your intent should be to make them understand that they are not alone. This will boost their confidence in you and can establish a shared empathy between the two of you.
Putting your own mental, emotional, and physical health at stake in order to treat another is not feasible in the long term. It is better if you both face it as a team and help each other out in the process.
Seek Professional Help
If the symptoms of depression in your partner worsen or they are showing any signs of contemplating suicide, it’s time to seek external help. Trained healthcare professionals at a treatment or detox center have diverse experiences in helping people who are struggling with depression. They can help you and your loved one maintain a healthy relationship, even when the situation is particularly difficult.
Your partner can be struggling to maintain their mental, emotional, and physical health when they are experiencing depression. Serving as their greatest support in these times can provide your partner with much-needed confidence and trust. However, supporting them can also make things tough for you, as well. Monitoring your health while helping them through this trying time is critical, as your own mental and emotional well-being could also be at stake. If you are struggling to maintain your emotional or mental health while helping your partner through a depressive disorder, it is time to seek expert advice. HealthyU is a safe place for you and your partner to seek treatment for their depression and ensure your mental health remains intact. Our team of healthcare professionals takes every necessary step towards tracking your depression history, identifying the signs and symptoms, understanding your relationship struggles, and devising a customized treatment plan for you. Call (619) 542-9542.
