If you are in a relationship with someone who has depression, these are some tips you can use to help your partner.
You can learn everything you need to know about depression and its causes, symptoms and treatments by exploring the links found on the lefthand side of any page of the About Depression site. Just pick a topic to begin exploring the site.
Put yourself in their shoes. Learn what depression feels like, the misconceptions about mental illness that they must deal with, and get the facts about what depression really is.
3. Remember to Take Care of Yourself
Feelings of depression are contagious. Periodically take some time to step back from the situation and recharge your batteries.
It's okay to feel upset, angry, frustrated. These feelings are a valid response to a very trying situation. Join a support group, talk with a close friend, or see a therapist. The important thing is vent your frustrations rather than allowing them to build up inside.
5. Be There for Them
Give them a shoulder to cry on or just listen while they spill out their hearts to you. Be patient with them. Let them know that you care. Share the things you've learned while researching depression. Let them know it's not their fault, that they're not weak or worthless.
6. Don't Take It Personally
Remember that the depressed person's behavior isn't indicative of the "real" person. The depressed person has impaired social skills. They may be withdrawn and shy or sullen and angry. When the depressed person lashes out in anger, it's because they're actually angry with themselves and the way they feel. When your spouse or significant other doesn't feel like having sex, don't take it personally. Loss of sex drive is a classic symptom of depression. It doesn't mean they don't love you.
7. Help Out Around the House
Depressed people aren't lazy. They're ill. Everyday activities like cleaning house, paying bills, or feeding the dog may seem overwhelming to them. You may have to take up the slack for them for awhile. Just like if they had the flu, they simply don't feel up to it.
Medications and therapy are crucial to their recovery. Help keep them on track with treatment. Help to ease their fears about treatment by letting them know that they're not crazy. If they're suicidal, you may need to seek immediate help. There are some valuable
suicide resources on the Internet that can help you to help your loved cope during times of crisis.
9. Offer Hope
Offer hope in whatever form they will accept it. This could be their faith in God, their love of their children, or anything else that makes them want to go on living. Find what works best for them and remind them of it whenever they're not sure they can hang on any longer.
10. Love Them Unconditionally
Love them unconditionally and let me know it's their illness you're frustrated with, not them.
