Helping A Spouse With Depression
Being married to someone whose mood seems to be worsening is difficult. While you may not be responsible for their possible depression, these actions enable you to support them during this time.
Do Research
You may have suspected your spouse wasn't feeling well, but knowing specific depression symptoms can let you know that action is needed. Depression could exist if your spouse is:
- Staying in bed longer
- Not handling personal hygiene well
- Avoiding friends
- Losing interest in their favorite activities
- Experiencing disrupted sleep
More than one symptom is likely to present itself over time, and many depressed people have all of them. Once you realize that this condition is what your spouse is coping with, you can bring it up with them and discuss their emotions.
Avoid Insults
Because a depressed person can have trouble meeting their familial and spousal responsibilities, you may notice that you're doing more. Your spouse might have taken out the trash each night and no longer does, for instance. They may leave dirty dishes sitting unwashed overnight. Frustration can build and you may begin insulting them often because of how they're acting. However, remember your spouse is depressed and already feels badly about the course of their life. They might already blame themselves for your frustration and unhappiness. Insulting them is rarely productive and could cause resentment and further discomfort.
When you're frustrated, take some breaths and address specific tasks, actions, or words that are upsetting you. Work toward solutions without personal attacks.
Help Them Make an Appointment
Transformative therapy can help your spouse begin to lift the cloud over their lives. However, many depressed people find it too stressful to locate and make their own doctor, dentist and therapist appointments even if they realize the appointments could help. You might take this task on instead and set up their appointments. You can even drive them to the office. This will eliminate obstacles for help. Your spouse is likely to appreciate that you facilitated the therapy sessions which will transform their lives.
See Your Own Therapist
While making their appointments, consider transformative therapy sessions for yourself. You must remember to continue self-care in your life because living with a depressed spouse is hard at times. It can seem like the entire family revolves around the depressed person's needs, and you may need to work through that with a therapist so you can help your spouse without sacrificing your own mental health.
Your spouse's depression is better handled when you understand and can assist them. Mental health professionals, family support, and communication can, over time, lift their depression.
For more information, reach out to therapy services like Be Light Transformative Therapy.
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