How do you deal when you love someone who is depressed? It can be a hard journey, but it’s not impossible.
The reason for this is that they don’t know what the reason is. It is not a straightforward ailment for clinical reasons. It’s in their minds and they are not in control of how they feel. You need to be mindful of the loneliness, lethargy, darkness, and hopelessness that your loved one is going through.
As a partner, you need to be present for them through all their hardships, till they can come through the other side. You need to be kind and supportive of their journey. It’s hard, but it’s one of the most impacting things you can do for them.
To help you in your journey of loving someone who is depressed, here are some points to remember. These are simple guidelines that you can follow to help your depressed loved one heal and cope. Please remember that these aren’t universal clarifications as every person suffering from depression is unique. These are just a starting point for your journey.
This is the first and most important thing that you need to remember. It is a helpless and frustrating situation for your loved one. It makes them feel sad, empty, and hopeless and can even make them feel nothing at all sometimes.
Don’t ask them why they are depressed. They are not depressed by choice or due to any specific reason. Depression can leave your loved one feeling paralyzed in their own body and mind. They are unable to enjoy or do things that they earlier enjoyed doing.
It’s not simply having a bad mood or a single bad day. You can’t simply “get over” depression. You need to keep in mind that your loved one hasn’t chosen to be depressed. They simply can’t see a way out of the feeling of hopelessness.
You can’t understand depression unless you’ve experienced it
Many hard life situations can trigger depression. These include divorce, loss of a loved one or even losing your job. However, no guarantee experiencing these will create depression by default.
Harsh life experiences are associated with the feeling of strong emotions and feelings. Depression, on the other hand, is marked by hollowness, and this hollowness is insufferable. It saps the very essence of hope, emotion, and reason from a person’s mind and body.
Your partner simply doesn’t feel like their older self. They may even not feel like human beings. They are liable to constantly feel hopeless and paranoid. There is also the feeling of desperation, humorlessness, and overall lifelessness. They can become more and more demanding. No amount of reassurance from you and other sources will ever feel enough.
Telling them “It’ll be ok” or “You only need to get out of the house” or “You need to move on” is meaningless.
Pepping someone you love with positive thoughts like these is usually a good idea. So, you may be tempted to do the same with a partner who is depressed. You think that you’ll be inspiring hope and easing their suffering.
However, for someone suffering from depression, these words have the exact opposite effect. These simple yet cliched phrases come across as empty and worthless to a depressed person. If anything, these words can come across in the opposite way of what you intended.
This is because; these words and phrases fail to address the reality of the depressed person. It agitates and triggers anxiety. This can make the depressed person want to stay alone. Think of it like trying to fix a gaping and bleeding wound with a single Band-Aid.
So, what do you say to keep the person you love motivated? There is no universal answer to this question. You simply need to be supportive of your partner. You can try giving them a long and silent hug. Try this often.
Tell them that you love them and that you aren’t the only one who does. Tell them that it is worth living for the people who love them, even when the feeling of letting go is the strongest. You can ask them to revisit the happy memories that are being suppressed by the depression. Tell them to exercise and take care of themselves, eat properly even when it makes them feel sick.
Most importantly, tell them that you believe in them and that you are there for them. Don’t offer advice unless they ask for it.
What To Do When Someone You Love Is Depressed
First, the very first thing that you should do when you love someone who is depressed, is to never ask why.The reason for this is that they don’t know what the reason is. It is not a straightforward ailment for clinical reasons. It’s in their minds and they are not in control of how they feel. You need to be mindful of the loneliness, lethargy, darkness, and hopelessness that your loved one is going through.
As a partner, you need to be present for them through all their hardships, till they can come through the other side. You need to be kind and supportive of their journey. It’s hard, but it’s one of the most impacting things you can do for them.
To help you in your journey of loving someone who is depressed, here are some points to remember. These are simple guidelines that you can follow to help your depressed loved one heal and cope. Please remember that these aren’t universal clarifications as every person suffering from depression is unique. These are just a starting point for your journey.
Read also:
7 Things to Remember When Your Loved Ones Are Depressed
Depression is not a choiceThis is the first and most important thing that you need to remember. It is a helpless and frustrating situation for your loved one. It makes them feel sad, empty, and hopeless and can even make them feel nothing at all sometimes.
Don’t ask them why they are depressed. They are not depressed by choice or due to any specific reason. Depression can leave your loved one feeling paralyzed in their own body and mind. They are unable to enjoy or do things that they earlier enjoyed doing.
It’s not simply having a bad mood or a single bad day. You can’t simply “get over” depression. You need to keep in mind that your loved one hasn’t chosen to be depressed. They simply can’t see a way out of the feeling of hopelessness.
You can’t understand depression unless you’ve experienced it
Many hard life situations can trigger depression. These include divorce, loss of a loved one or even losing your job. However, no guarantee experiencing these will create depression by default.
Harsh life experiences are associated with the feeling of strong emotions and feelings. Depression, on the other hand, is marked by hollowness, and this hollowness is insufferable. It saps the very essence of hope, emotion, and reason from a person’s mind and body.
Your partner simply doesn’t feel like their older self. They may even not feel like human beings. They are liable to constantly feel hopeless and paranoid. There is also the feeling of desperation, humorlessness, and overall lifelessness. They can become more and more demanding. No amount of reassurance from you and other sources will ever feel enough.
Telling them “It’ll be ok” or “You only need to get out of the house” or “You need to move on” is meaningless.
Pepping someone you love with positive thoughts like these is usually a good idea. So, you may be tempted to do the same with a partner who is depressed. You think that you’ll be inspiring hope and easing their suffering.
However, for someone suffering from depression, these words have the exact opposite effect. These simple yet cliched phrases come across as empty and worthless to a depressed person. If anything, these words can come across in the opposite way of what you intended.
This is because; these words and phrases fail to address the reality of the depressed person. It agitates and triggers anxiety. This can make the depressed person want to stay alone. Think of it like trying to fix a gaping and bleeding wound with a single Band-Aid.
So, what do you say to keep the person you love motivated? There is no universal answer to this question. You simply need to be supportive of your partner. You can try giving them a long and silent hug. Try this often.
Tell them that you love them and that you aren’t the only one who does. Tell them that it is worth living for the people who love them, even when the feeling of letting go is the strongest. You can ask them to revisit the happy memories that are being suppressed by the depression. Tell them to exercise and take care of themselves, eat properly even when it makes them feel sick.
Most importantly, tell them that you believe in them and that you are there for them. Don’t offer advice unless they ask for it.
Read more: Things to Say and Things Not to Say to Someone with Depression
Try not to take their behavior personally
You need to understand that a person suffering from depression is always tremendously exhausted. This relentless exhaustion is one of the very common side effects of this condition. The very minimal task of waking up and getting out of bed every morning seems like a monumental and overwhelming process for them.
Another side effect of depression is that your loved one can feel okay one minute and then suddenly feel exhausted and drained the very next minute. Even if they are sleeping and eating properly, they can still feel depleted and tired. They can cancel plans at the last moment, leave early from parties, or even simply say no far too many times.
What you need to remember is that this is nothing personal about you. This is simply one of the side effects of depression. Try your best not to take these instances personally. Depression saps a person of almost everything in his/her life. A person can only offer what they have within themselves, and a depressed person has almost nothing left to give to others.
You need to understand that your partner may not always be as loving in return to you as you are with them. You need to understand that it is alright. When you stop taking their actions personally, you liberate yourself to love freely. Without needless expectations, you can love more liberally.
You can also get frustrated
Dealing with someone who is depressed can be very difficult. But it doesn’t mean that you have to walk on eggshells all the time when you’re with them. You don’t have to cater to all of their needs at all times.
It’s ok for you to feel frustrated as well. People suffering from depression indeed need to feel loved. They also need to feel that they are supported. However, if you feel that this neediness is hurting your life, you’re allowed to feel frustrated and acknowledge it.
First, you need to understand this yourself. Assess whether you are making too many sacrifices on your part. Understand whether it is having a negative influence on your life. The next step is to work out how you can continue to show love and support to your dear one without it taking a toll on you.
When you are frustrated, it is always a good idea to take a step back and create some boundaries. Find out how you can help your depressed partner while maintaining your sense of happiness. Most importantly, be patient. Explain your concerns to them and establish the boundaries that you need. Figure out a middle path that works well for both of you.
You can be there for them even if they push you away
One of the scariest side effects of depression is that it isolates the depressed person. Even though they feel hopelessly alone, depression motivates them to search for more and more isolation. The feeling of being a burden on their family members and loved ones becomes an overwhelming presence in the minds of the depressed.
These feelings make them push the people that they love and need the most away from themselves. Depressed people seek isolation from those they need the most. This is not because of something that you did or did not do. It is simply one of the side effects that is common through depression.
If you see that your partner is pushing you away through their depression, don’t force them to do anything. Be patient with them, but as often as you can, remind them that you’re right there beside them. Assure them that you are available nearby if they want to talk or go out. But never force them to socialize or pressurize them to talk about their feelings.
You need to be gentle in your approach. Giving ultimatums or threats about leaving them will do no good. They won’t be magically cured if you tell them that you’ll break up if they don’t get better. If you feel the situation becoming too much for you to handle, you can choose to walk away from it. That is your personal choice.
They don’t want to deal with it alone
Contrary to what most people believe, people suffering from depression don’t always want to be left alone. Most people think that depressed people just want to be left isolated. While there may be times when people dealing with depression want to be in their own space, it doesn’t mean that they want to be completely alone at all times. They don’t want to face their fears and hopelessness on their own.
You can always offer to take them on a drive or out for a cup of coffee. Ask them if they feel up to going for a meal with you. Try to plan one-on-one outings with them instead of forcing them to go out in groups. This will help them come out of their routine and isolation. It will also help forge a bond between the two of you where you both can connect.
Such outings can often mean a lot to people suffering from depression. Ask them to go out with you when they don’t expect it. Gently and patiently remind them that they don’t have to go through the journey of dealing with depression on their own. Assure them that you are there for them.
This will help them build their trust in you and open up about their feelings and emotions. Once they are comfortable in sharing their feelings, this indicates that they are showing a high level of trust in you. You must not abuse this dependence or trust. You must take it very seriously when they open up to you.
You need to learn to stop taking their actions and inability to reciprocate the love you show them personally. This will help you overcome the unnecessary expectations that can cause you disappointment and pain. You need to remember that depression is exhausting for someone who is suffering. Even the smallest of chores can seem overwhelming. This can lead them to say no to a lot more than what you would have liked.
While you need to provide love and support to your partner, you should also not neglect your happiness. It is ok for you to feel frustrated, and if you feel that their actions and needs are harming your happiness then you need to set clear boundaries.
Be gentle and patient when dealing with someone who is depressed. Threatening and setting ultimatums will not help. A person suffering from depression cannot come out of it overnight just because they are finding it difficult to cope with their problems.
If you feel unable to deal with the situation on your own, feel free to ask for help. Many counseling and support groups can help. Remember to take care of yourself also. You need to be physically and mentally fit yourself first. Only then you can properly take care of the person you love. Otherwise, no matter how hard you try, you will have very little impact on their lives.
Try not to take their behavior personally
You need to understand that a person suffering from depression is always tremendously exhausted. This relentless exhaustion is one of the very common side effects of this condition. The very minimal task of waking up and getting out of bed every morning seems like a monumental and overwhelming process for them.
Another side effect of depression is that your loved one can feel okay one minute and then suddenly feel exhausted and drained the very next minute. Even if they are sleeping and eating properly, they can still feel depleted and tired. They can cancel plans at the last moment, leave early from parties, or even simply say no far too many times.
What you need to remember is that this is nothing personal about you. This is simply one of the side effects of depression. Try your best not to take these instances personally. Depression saps a person of almost everything in his/her life. A person can only offer what they have within themselves, and a depressed person has almost nothing left to give to others.
You need to understand that your partner may not always be as loving in return to you as you are with them. You need to understand that it is alright. When you stop taking their actions personally, you liberate yourself to love freely. Without needless expectations, you can love more liberally.
You can also get frustrated
Dealing with someone who is depressed can be very difficult. But it doesn’t mean that you have to walk on eggshells all the time when you’re with them. You don’t have to cater to all of their needs at all times.
It’s ok for you to feel frustrated as well. People suffering from depression indeed need to feel loved. They also need to feel that they are supported. However, if you feel that this neediness is hurting your life, you’re allowed to feel frustrated and acknowledge it.
First, you need to understand this yourself. Assess whether you are making too many sacrifices on your part. Understand whether it is having a negative influence on your life. The next step is to work out how you can continue to show love and support to your dear one without it taking a toll on you.
When you are frustrated, it is always a good idea to take a step back and create some boundaries. Find out how you can help your depressed partner while maintaining your sense of happiness. Most importantly, be patient. Explain your concerns to them and establish the boundaries that you need. Figure out a middle path that works well for both of you.
You can be there for them even if they push you away
One of the scariest side effects of depression is that it isolates the depressed person. Even though they feel hopelessly alone, depression motivates them to search for more and more isolation. The feeling of being a burden on their family members and loved ones becomes an overwhelming presence in the minds of the depressed.
These feelings make them push the people that they love and need the most away from themselves. Depressed people seek isolation from those they need the most. This is not because of something that you did or did not do. It is simply one of the side effects that is common through depression.
If you see that your partner is pushing you away through their depression, don’t force them to do anything. Be patient with them, but as often as you can, remind them that you’re right there beside them. Assure them that you are available nearby if they want to talk or go out. But never force them to socialize or pressurize them to talk about their feelings.
You need to be gentle in your approach. Giving ultimatums or threats about leaving them will do no good. They won’t be magically cured if you tell them that you’ll break up if they don’t get better. If you feel the situation becoming too much for you to handle, you can choose to walk away from it. That is your personal choice.
They don’t want to deal with it alone
Contrary to what most people believe, people suffering from depression don’t always want to be left alone. Most people think that depressed people just want to be left isolated. While there may be times when people dealing with depression want to be in their own space, it doesn’t mean that they want to be completely alone at all times. They don’t want to face their fears and hopelessness on their own.
You can always offer to take them on a drive or out for a cup of coffee. Ask them if they feel up to going for a meal with you. Try to plan one-on-one outings with them instead of forcing them to go out in groups. This will help them come out of their routine and isolation. It will also help forge a bond between the two of you where you both can connect.
Such outings can often mean a lot to people suffering from depression. Ask them to go out with you when they don’t expect it. Gently and patiently remind them that they don’t have to go through the journey of dealing with depression on their own. Assure them that you are there for them.
This will help them build their trust in you and open up about their feelings and emotions. Once they are comfortable in sharing their feelings, this indicates that they are showing a high level of trust in you. You must not abuse this dependence or trust. You must take it very seriously when they open up to you.
Conclusion
When you someone you love is depressed, it can be a very difficult journey for both of you. Depression can cause your loved one to withdraw and even push you away at times. You need to remember that this is not because of anything that you have done or not done. It is simply one of the common side effects of depression.You need to learn to stop taking their actions and inability to reciprocate the love you show them personally. This will help you overcome the unnecessary expectations that can cause you disappointment and pain. You need to remember that depression is exhausting for someone who is suffering. Even the smallest of chores can seem overwhelming. This can lead them to say no to a lot more than what you would have liked.
While you need to provide love and support to your partner, you should also not neglect your happiness. It is ok for you to feel frustrated, and if you feel that their actions and needs are harming your happiness then you need to set clear boundaries.
Be gentle and patient when dealing with someone who is depressed. Threatening and setting ultimatums will not help. A person suffering from depression cannot come out of it overnight just because they are finding it difficult to cope with their problems.
If you feel unable to deal with the situation on your own, feel free to ask for help. Many counseling and support groups can help. Remember to take care of yourself also. You need to be physically and mentally fit yourself first. Only then you can properly take care of the person you love. Otherwise, no matter how hard you try, you will have very little impact on their lives.
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