Are You Dating Someone Who Suffers From Depression? Here’s What You Should Know

Mental depression is one major illness that many people from around the world suffer from, but they prefer to keep mum about it. And in case you are dating a person who suffers from depression, remember, you have a tough job at hand. You need to be the pillar of support for your partner during their struggling days in a healthy way. And if you learn the ways of supporting yourself, too, it will be easier for you to understand your own self and your companion as well. As a consequence, you two will experience a healthier companionship while your soulmate goes through the complete healing procedure.

Why is it necessary to support and take care of yourself?

While your companion is undergoing severe depression, you tend to make them the focus of your life. You try everything to hold their hand and take them out of the quagmire. But, at the same time, you need to take into account of how you’re feeling and what you are going through. In case you fail to do that, you wouldn’t be in the required mental condition or shape to look after either of you.

Self-care must be the topmost priority for everyone. Unfortunately, the most necessary aspect gets ignored when someone opts to divert all their heed on their partner or loved one’s physical and mental condition, much to their own detriment. It may seem selfish to many for doing otherwise, but at the end of the day, this may do you more harm than you can think of.

If you are experiencing similar situations in life, take a few steps back in order to get a clear picture of what role you’ve been playing in your relationship. Even while caring for your partner, looking after own well-being is a must, and it’s pivotal to imbibe the ways of taking care of your partner without ignoring yourself.

Lend a helping hand to your depressed partner

Prioritizing your own needs doesn’t necessarily imply ignoring your partner. Just because a few things may seem right to you at a certain point in time doesn’t insinuate that they will benefit your mental health and your relationship in the long run. The following are some important facts:

Try not to take your partner’s symptoms too personally

Keep in mind that your partner’s illness may lead to their persistent unhappiness. Mood swings, a change in their sleeping habits or inconsistent ups and downs in their energy levels are common. They may feel frustrated at times and tend to vent out their anger on trivial issues. Try not to take them personally, especially if they may feel down and out or detached from the relationship. During the worst times, you may feel it’s a steep mountain to climb. Keep all your negative feelings aside and give an effort to inject positivity into the relationship. That will strengthen the bond that you two share, and your partner will have a substantial support to take them through their healing voyage.

Try to make them feel and think positive

Regardless of all the arguments that you have with your partner, try to make them feel positive about the relationship. Try to ward off all negative thoughts and the inferiority complex they may have. Arguments on the same issue time and again may prove to be a major factor in weakening your bond, and it will inadvertently lead your partner to have guilty feelings and feel that they are completely unable to match up to your expectations. Let them realize that you have their back always, and your feelings for them are absolutely real and genuine.

Learn the ways of supporting yourself

Paying attention to yourself is what you need to do first, as discussed before. Your partner’s depression may take a toll on you, too, and have a negative impact on the relationship. In those situations, you may try a couple or a family therapy, an individual therapy, or choose to take a break.

Ensure that you address your own needs first in order to realize your partner’s needs in a much better way. It’s not easy to make things work in a relationship, and with the emotional stress and strain of a depressed mind, it becomes harder. But, by following the tips mentioned above, things may turn for the better in one or more ways. Cheers to life!