Depression is a mood disorder which significantly reduces the ability to enjoy activities and relationships that were previously pleasurable, so life as a couple may be affected. The partner is usually the person who bears the greatest burden on a daily basis, which is why it is essential to know what we are facing, know how we can help, and offer our support so that our partner recovers.
“My partner has depression: what do I do? “If you want to know what the symptoms of depression are and what you can do to help it, keep reading this PsychologyFor article.
It is essential know your symptoms to know that our partner’s behavior has nothing to do with their romantic and personal relationship but with the illness they suffer from. Surely if the person you share your life with is going through a depressive episode, you will have noticed that she has become uncommunicative, irritable, negative, careless in her appearance, without sexual desire, etc.
Symptoms of depression
Below we present the symptoms of a depressive state:
Significant loss of interest or ability to enjoy activities that were normally pleasurable.
Absence of emotional reactions to events that usually provoke a response.
Presence of motor slowing.
Marked loss of appetite.
Weightloss.
Noticeable decrease in sexual interest.
Permanent feeling of tiredness.
Different sleeping habits.
If you suspect that someone in your environment may suffer from depression, we recommend that that person take the following Beck depression test.
How to help a couple with depression
Depression has a direct impact on the partner of the sufferer, and consequently, also on the rest of the family. You may be wondering “What do I do? What is my role? What can I do to help her?”
Professional help and acceptance: first steps to help your partner
It is very important that you encourage your partner to ask for professional help , depression is an illness and requires professional help and treatment. You must normalize the fact of having to seek outside help.
On the other hand, it is necessary accept the existence of the disease No one is guilty of suffering from an illness. It is difficult to accept it, however, the beginning of every therapeutic process is to assume that situation.
My partner has depression: recommendations to help your partner
It is as important that you receive help and treatment as it is that you inform yourself about the disease, to know how to act and thus know how to give the support and help that your partner needs. Below we give you some recommendations that may be useful to help you deal with your partner’s depression:
Show understanding and empathy Don’t question their thoughts or feelings. If the person with depression does not feel heard and understood, he or she will become more closed off and this situation will increase the feeling of discomfort, apathy and discouragement. She needs assertive and empathetic people who do not judge her, who show her understanding, who simply know how to be by her side.
Don’t personalize , the explanation lies in his disorder. It is normal for you to feel helplessness and incomprehension; Your partner is distant, not interested in your things, has no desire, etc. But it is important that you keep in mind that if your partner suffers from depression, all these behaviors are manifestations of the disease.
Don’t overwhelm him , he suggests without pressing. My partner has depression and doesn’t want to see me, what can I do? Depression takes time, has ups and downs, and never responds to pressure.
Don’t overprotect her Overprotection will not help your partner. You need to feel useful, that you participate in daily activities even though it is very expensive for you.
Appreciate small advances Valuing and reinforcing small advances, no matter how small, or any behavior that we consider adaptive will increase the likelihood that it will be maintained.
Take care of yourself, you don’t have depression Continue enjoying your activities, relationships and hobbies and don’t feel guilty. You have to support your partner and to do so you must take care of those spaces that make you happy. Don’t forget about yourself, having a depressed person next to you is very draining. After all, if you don’t take care of yourself you won’t be much help.
Be patient You don’t get out of depression overnight. It requires a long process. Being impatient only brings feelings of guilt and overwhelm. Patience is necessary to support your partner throughout the process. Trust in your recovery.
In this article you will find more information about How to help a person with depression.
Breakup of a couple due to depression
Is leaving your partner due to depression normal? Depression is a mood disorder that can very negatively affect the dynamics of a couple, to the point of causing constant arguments, discomfort, emotional insecurity…
While is true that a person with depression does not choose to be like this and it is not correct to hold her responsible for her emotional state, it is necessary to comment that depression can cause havoc and rejection in the relationship. Therefore, if you think that your partner has depression and you need help, it is essential that you follow the advice that we have listed throughout this article.
This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to My partner has depression: what do I do? we recommend that you enter our Couples Therapy category.
Bibliography
Jarne, A.; Talarn, A. (2012). Manual of Clinical Psychopathology. Herder: Barcelona
