Dealing with depression in a spouse is no easy task. Your marital vows require you to be there for better or for worse and in sickness and in health. When your spouse is depressed, there are many things you can do when dealing with depression in a spouse.
Spouse Depression Coping Tips #1
When your spouse is depressed, you will hurt inside as well. Do not let your spouse know that you are hurting inside because of their depression. This could make dealing with depression harder for your spouse.
Spouse Depression Coping Tips #2
Make sure your spouse seeks proper care from a mental health professional. Depression plays a role in 90% of all suicide cases. Dealing with depression is something that is crucial to ensure that your spouse doesn’t let their depression get out of hand.
Spouse Depression Coping Tips #3
If you have children, try to explain to them what depression is. Dealing with depression is something the whole family has to do. If you do not address your spouse’s depression with your children, they could misunderstand the situation and feel like they are to blame.
Spouse Depression Coping Tips #4
Try to get your spouse active. Physical activity releases endorphins in the brain. Get your spouse to take a brisk walk with you. They may not feel like getting out, but once they do they could find that some exercise will help them with dealing with depression.
Spouse Depression Coping Tips #5
Pay attention to your spouse’s mood changes. You could notice that sometimes your spouse is really depressed while other times they seem almost euphoric. Watch for symptoms of manic depression – also known as bipolar disorder. Dealing with depression – even manic depression – is important to ensure the mental health of your partner.
Spouse Depression Coping Tips #6
Being involved in your spouse’s depression treatment plays an important role in dealing with depression in a spouse. Although you shouldn’t go with them to their talk therapist all the time, encourage them to go and talk to them about their treatment. Make sure you know what anti-depressants your spouse is currently prescribed. Make sure your spouse takes their medication. Sometimes those suffering from mental illnesses such as depression don’t want to take their medicine.
Spouse Depression Coping Tips #7
Try to keep things at home as stress-free as possible while your spouse is experiencing depression symptoms. Sometimes those who are depressed become extremely sensitive and even the most minor blip in your lives will become earth shattering to them. Dealing with depression in a spouse includes taking on an increased role in trying to prevent relapses.
Spouse Depression Coping Tips #8
See a talk therapist yourself. Dealing with depression in a spouse can be tiring and confusing. Talking to someone could help you deal with all the emotions and stress associated with dealing with depression in a spouse. Talk therapists can also help you understand your spouse’s depression.
Spouse Depression Coping Tips #9
When your spouse is depressed, try to talk to them about happy times. Sometimes your spouse just needs something to distract them from what is bothering them.
Spouse Depression Coping Tips #10
When your spouse is depressed, you need to know that they physically hurt inside. Depression is a very serious illness that could result in death. You don’t need to brush off your spouse’s depression symptoms. Try to be there for them and understand their illness.
Dealing with depression in a spouse is not easy. However, with proper depression treatment from a qualified mental health professional your spouse can deal with their depression easier. As time goes on and you understand more, dealing with depression in a spouse will not be too difficult.
Resources:
NAMI
