Depression is a common psychological problem, affecting approximately 5% of adults worldwide. Many people don’t get a proper diagnosis, and many who do get diagnosed don’t get proper treatment. If your partner has depression, you may want to make them feel better, or you may feel like you’re lost and alone. Being in a relationship with someone who has depression is difficult for both of you. You need to understand some of the signs of depression and when to recommend that your partner seek professional help. ##What are the common symptoms of depression? The American Psychiatric Association states that depression can be a serious illness. Your loved one may appear pessimistic, depressed, and apathetic, or they may appear to be doing fine. Here are some signs and symptoms you should look out for: - Loss of interest or concern for things you enjoy or enjoy activities - Feeling sad or guilty - Poor sleep quality, or sleeping too much or too little - Restlessness Or slowed down thinking, language and behavior - in extreme cases, thoughts of ending one’s life or wishing one had never existed##What should I pay attention to when dating someone with depression? How much do you know about depression? Maybe you’ve experienced mental health issues yourself, or maybe you’ve been in a relationship with someone with mental health issues before. Here are some things you need to know about coping and thinking. **You may not know your partner has depression. ** Depression doesn’t always look like what you see in the media. A person with depression does not necessarily always feel sad, lie in bed, or talk about death (although it is possible that they do - and if so, you should help them promptly and seek professional help). Sometimes, people with depression may pretend to be cheerful or happy to cover up their psychological problems. Experts call this condition “smiling depression.” This disguise allows people with depression to maintain a semblance of normalcy at work, social interactions, and relationships without revealing their condition. If you’re in a relationship with someone who has smile depression, they may need some alone time from time to time. This way they can deal with their own psychological issues and put on their mask again to appear in front of you. But many people with this type of high-functioning depression can’t really cope with it. Some people with smiling depression suddenly become energetic and optimistic before attempting suicide. If your partner hasn’t been able to get out of bed for a week but suddenly becomes energetic and positive, this could be a red flag that their depression is getting worse, not better. Sometimes you may feel like you’re being rejected. Depression is more than just sadness, grief, or irritability. This is why being in a relationship with someone with depression can sometimes feel more like rejection. If your partner is depressed, they may reject your affection or sexual invitations, be reluctant to date you, or stop participating in things they used to enjoy doing with you. When you’re in a relationship with someone who has symptoms of depression, you may sometimes feel hurt, abandoned, or alone. When this happens, try the following steps: - Don’t try to change your partner: Depression is complicated, and sometimes you just need to be there for them. Don’t analyze their every feeling, send them articles about natural supplements to make them feel better, or give them contact information for some local psychiatrists, unless they want you to. The only exception is if you think they are at risk of self-harm, in which case you should help them immediately. - Don’t give up on your own life: It’s easy to get both of you stuck in a negative mood. Instead, you need to take care of your mental health. Make your sleep, diet, exercise, and hobbies a priority so you don’t feel lost because of your partner’s depression. You may be able to convince your partner to get therapy. If you’ve just discovered that your romantic partner may have depression, you may feel relieved. However, your romantic partner—especially if they’re depressed—may not respond favorably to this suggestion. Try to accept your partner’s decisions regarding treatment. If you can’t cope with your partner’s symptoms of depression, or if you don’t want to be in a relationship with someone who isn’t in therapy, you may want to consider whether staying with them would be beneficial to you (and them). ##What is the difference between bipolar depression and depression? There are some important differences between general depression (major depressive disorder) and bipolar depression. If your partner has bipolar depression, their moods will fluctuate between depression and mania (an excited, impulsive mood), a cycle that can be difficult to predict. Here are a few things to keep in mind: - Your partner’s mood may range from deep depression to intense excitement, excitement, or anger. -Their judgment may be affected by their emotional state. - Your romantic partner may be very passionate about your relationship when they are hypomanic or manic, but seem cold to you when they are depressed. It’s not really a change in emotion, but rather their energy levels and libido fluctuating with their mood. If your relationship is serious, try to understand the type of depression your partner suffers from. Bipolar depression is special because it can last for a few days (and can be very severe), or it’s chronic depression that lasts for years in a milder state, allowing your partner to live a normal life. Their depression may also be a mix of these two extreme types. Talk to your partner to figure out how their depression affects them, the red flags you should watch for, and how to best support them during your time together. ##When you are in a relationship with someone who has depression, how can you use therapy to help them? Maybe you’re considering moving in with your partner or getting married. If you find it difficult to understand your lover’s psychological state, it is a wise choice to seek professional help at this time. Individual therapy sessions for your partner can help them learn how to cope with their depression in the hope that they will gradually recover. Personal therapy can help you detect signs of depression in your partner. This will also help you maintain good mental health when your partner is sick. A therapist can help you communicate effectively and provide professional advice on dating a person with depression. Researchers are developing a couples therapy that targets depressive behaviors — where one partner is depressed and the other is not — to address the challenges of depression in relationships. If your romantic partner gives you something that no one else in your life can give you, don’t let a diagnosis of depression stop you from being with them. Being in a relationship with someone with depression isn’t always smooth sailing—but with patience and communication, these relationships can be as healthy and rewarding as any other.
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