Don’t feel like your partner’s depression is your fault — it’s not. While depression can be triggered by certain events, it’s a mental health condition that occurs within a person. If you’re having a severe episode and struggling with your symptoms, don’t hesitate to notify your partner and ask for help when you need it. For example, if you’re experiencing a depressive episode and don’t feel like leaving the house, explain this to your partner instead of making an excuse to stay home. These are big issues that come up fast when dating a single parent. If you love the parent but are only so-so on the kids, this relationship may be one to walk away from.
When you know about a condition, it will aid in providing them proper help that they need. Some of the most creative, sensitive, and loving people also have anxiety disorders, and it’s likely that you will find yourself dating someone with anxiety at some point in your life. While it can be difficult at times to navigate a relationship with someone who has anxiety, putting in the effort to do so has many rewards. Depression is a medical condition that affects millions of people of all ages and situations.
Everyone feels sad from time to time, but depression is different than normal mood fluctuations. It is pervasive and disruptive and compromises one’s ability to engage in life the way they want. Understanding the reality of depression is vital to being a good ally as you embark on your relationship.
Don’t put pressure on yourself to fix your partner’s depression, because it’s genuinely not your job. You are not responsible for their struggles, and feeling like you are puts unreasonable pressure on your relationship. Just do your best to support them, as any devoted partner would.
It might be well-intentioned, but it can make them feel even worse and overwhelmed by the mere thought of doing those things. While watching your partner suffering from depression can be painful, know that you cannot “fix” them. And trying to fix it will only belittle the illness in your partner’s eyes and leave you feeling more frustrated. If you start feeling overwhelmed at any point in your relationship, or even frustrated, angry, or sad, know that that is normal. What’s important is you don’t allow those feelings to linger and grow. Speak to a therapist or counselor or join a support group where you can vent your feelings and get the support and help you need to be the best partner you can be.
Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions.
When I became really depressed that year, going to the group as often as I could get myself out the door was the thing that was the most helpful in my recovery. I needed professional help, but medications and therapy take time to work. Having a safe community while I was in process helped me keep going, even at my lowest points.
In Hump Day, award-winning psychotherapist and TV host Dr. Jenn Mann answers your sexiest questions — unjudged and unfiltered.
Believing otherwise can make you lose hope in your partner’s recovery. Instead, respect your partner’s condition and educate yourself. This will help you avoid arguments and keep the focus on your partner. Remind them of what is good in the world, in the future, and themselves. The causes of depression are unknown, but genetics and a history of mental illness may play a role in developing it. Many people who suffer from depression often stay this way as they are afraid they will be labeled “crazy” or have their support fall away.
They talk about when they aren’t around anymore
These concerns are understandable, but it’s important to keep in mind that you can have a healthy romantic relationship. For the best chance of success in a new relationship, be sure to communicate openly and follow your treatment plan. If you have bipolar disorder, you may already be familiar with the impact your condition can have on a romantic relationship. You may feel nervous about starting a new relationship and finding the “right” time to tell your partner you have bipolar disorder.
This often isn’t the case, but your partner’s energy levels and interest in sex might wax and wane with their mood. You might be able to convince your partner to get treatment. If you’ve just realized that your partner is probably dealing with depression, you might feel a sense of relief. However, your partner — especially if they’re depressed — may not respond to this revelation in a positive way. Even after they left, the clean, organized space was a reminder that there were people who loved me and cared for me. When my depression tried to tell me I was alone and unloved, there was a physical reminder that that was not true.
It’s a serious, but treatable condition that affects millions of people around the world. Support groups can also be a good option if you don’t feel comfortable sharing your partner’s mental health details with anyone you know. It’s also worth remembering you don’t have to stay home yourself unless you want to keep them company when they need support. Otherwise, sticking with your original plans can help you avoid frustration and resentment, so it’s often a better choice for your own mental health. Tell your partner when you feel a mood shift occurring so they’re not alarmed by a sudden change in your demeanor. Also, be open to them when they tell you that they notice that your mood is “different.” Many times, others can see changes in our mood when we cannot.
Sarah Regan is a Spirituality & Relationships Editor, a registered yoga instructor, and an avid astrologer and tarot reader. She received her bachelor’s in broadcasting and mass communication from State University of New York at Oswego, and lives in Buffalo, New York. As Birkel explains, not only does the depressed partner need to accept their situation, so does their significant other. https://hookupsranked.com/ “One of the keys to dealing with this is having acceptance on both sides,” he says, where both parties can lean into the struggle and try to work through it. Dating someone with depression can be difficult to navigate, and it’s not uncommon. It’s estimated at least 7% of U.S. adults suffer from depression, causing things like low motivation, low self-worth, and a myriad of other issues.
They can testify about how God is working through whatever is happening in their lives. You should be allowed to serve when you are able, trusting God to provide you with opportunities to share your faith even when you’re depressed. Though there is often an environmental and emotional component to depression, the underlying issue is usually biological.
When that happens, try not to take their moodiness personally, she suggests. “Their acting in a certain way doesn’t mean anything about you, only how they’re moving through that moment,” she says. And don’t be afraid to step out if you’re feeling attacked. It’s important to note that someone with depression should not be seeking a therapist in their partner. Encourage them to get help, whether through support groups, a therapist or psychologist, or even a life coach.