subject: Coping with Depressed Spouse? - Three Things You Must Know When Coping With Depressed Spouse [print this page] Coping with Depressed Spouse? - Three Things You Must Know When Coping With Depressed Spouse
Coping with depressed spouse? If you are you know how stressful for the partner (you) other family members it can be. You can't talk anymore, your social life suffers, and feelings of satisfaction with the marriage are fading fast. It doesn't have to be that way forever. Here are 5 excellent ways that will help you when coping with depressed spouse.
Item One - Educate yourself about depression. Schedule a time to meet with your spouse's physician to talk about depression and how you can help support your spouse. Read books or search the Internet for helpful articles and websites about depression.
Item Two - Learn to de-personalize your spouse's behavior. Remind yourself that your spouse is ill--and that's different from being stubborn or deliberately trying to make your life difficult. Try to remember that your spouse's perception, attitude, actions, patience, and stamina are being impacted in major ways by the depression. When people are depressed, they often blame everyone else for their problems and see only the negatives in daily life. This is about the depression--not about you.
Item Three - Don't try to talk your spouse out of their feelings. Trying to argue with him or convince him that they're wrong for feeling blue won't work. You'll just make them more depressed. When people are depressed, they often say irrational things, such as "I can't ever do anything right" or "No one cares about me." Acknowledge your spouse's feelings and say something like, "I'm sorry you're feeling so bad. What can we do to help you feel better right now?"
The great news is in most cases, depression can be effectively treated.
These three things will point you in the right direction if you want to help your spouse and yourself through the healing process. Click the links below to find out what you should be doing to really help while coping with depressed spouse.
