Living with Someone Who Has Depression: What You Need to Know
If you have a close friend or family member who has depression, it can be difficult to know how to support them in the best way possible. Living with someone who has depression is not as simple as telling them to cheer up or snap out of it, but instead requires an understanding of what they’re going through and how you can provide the best kind of support that will benefit both of you eventually. Here are some things you should know about living with someone who has depression and how you can help alleviate their symptoms without causing additional stress on your relationship. People who have depression are sensitive They cry easily, feel guilty and isolated, or withdraw from others. While you can’t force a person who has depression to get help or overcome feelings of low self-worth, it’s important for them to know that they have your support. Some helpful tips include Don’t judge or criticize Be compassionate Listen without judging Offer practical advice when appropriate (e.g., How about we take a walk? Let’s order in tonight.) Avoid saying things like snap out of it or just stop feeling sorry for yourself. This only makes matters worse because depressed people are already hard on themselves. Let them know you love and care about them—and want to be there if they need someone to talk to. When helping someone with depression, it’s also essential to focus on yourself. Sometimes caring too much about another person can become unhealthy and even harmful to your own mental health. It’s not uncommon for those living with a depressed loved one to become burned out, angry, frustrated, or resentful over time. If you find yourself struggling with these feelings, make sure to seek help. Talk to a friend or family member; seek counseling; see your doctor; for free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If necessary, remind your loved one that seeking treatment is an act of courage—not weakness. And encourage him/her to lean on you during difficult times as well as good ones. Living with someone who has depression is hard Your partner may be withdrawn, tired, unhappy, or even irritable and angry. They may have difficulty sleeping or eating properly. If you’re living with someone who has depression, you must understand what they are going through. The following guide will help you not only better support your loved one, but also gain a better understanding of their condition so that both of you can live your lives more fully again. A person with depression feels persistent sadness, loss of interest in things they used to enjoy, and a lack of energy. They may feel worthless or guilty about past events, unable to concentrate on work or other tasks, find themselves crying often for no reason at all, and lose weight without trying. Living with someone who has depression is hard because it’s difficult to tell when your loved one is having an episode – which means you might miss opportunities to comfort them when they need it most. Conversations about mental health can be difficult Since talking about mental health is still something that’s stigmatized in our society, it can be difficult for people living with depression to open up, But if you have a friend or family member who has been diagnosed with depression, here are some things you should know. It may seem like your loved one won’t want to talk, but they frequently do. They just don’t know what to say. If you feel uncomfortable bringing up their mental health, try asking them how they are doing or if there is anything you can do to help. It’s not about you: Living with someone who has depression doesn’t mean that it’s your fault. The cause of depression is still unknown, and it can be a combination of factors such as genetics and environment. It’s important to remember you’re still responsible for your well-being It’s tempting to put significant effort into trying to help someone else through the recession, but remember that you still have your life and issues to deal with. Furthermore, it’s important for you not only to be there for your loved one as much as possible but also for you not to lose yourself in the process. Your life is just as critical as theirs. Be sure that you’re taking care of yourself and looking out for your needs, along with those of your partner or friend who has depression. The best way to do that is by making sure you take time for yourself and try to find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as exercising regularly or meditating. Don’t wait until you feel overwhelmed before doing something about it; try every day to focus on self-care. What can I do if my spouse won’t get treatment? If your spouse refuses treatment even after learning about his condition, he may be resistant because he doesn’t believe he has a problem. Focus on what you can do There’s no denying that living with someone who has depression isn’t easy. On top of your own mental health, you have to keep an eye on theirs too. This can be challenging and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. As long as you remember one thing: focus on what you can do rather than what you can’t. Here are a few examples of how to do just that… We all want our loved ones to feel better—but often times when we try to help, we only end up making things worse. Whether it is well-intentioned advice or trying to talk them out of their feelings, there are some things you should never say or do when someone is depressed. In fact, these kinds of interactions can make things much worse. Instead, learn how to support your loved one in a healthy way by focusing on what they need from you (rather than what they don’t). 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