How to Cope with Wife’s Depression

You love her and everything about her. When you took the vow “in good times and in bad,” you may not have expected the bad would include depression. A depressed wife can be a sad situation for not only her but for you as well. When you love your wife, you would do anything to protect her. Yet, how do you help her when the problem is in her?

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Learn about it. The more you know about a problem, the better you are to deal with it. There are numerous sources of information on female depression. If you need to, consult a therapist who can help you learn about what your spouse could be feeling.

2. Love her. Your wife is in pain and your love for her can often times be the lifeline she needs. Give her the continued attention and affection that you have in the past. Maybe even more if you can. While your love may not turn her feelings around over night, it can put a light at the end of the tunnel.

3. Know when to give her room. As her depression can lead to anger and negativity, you need to be able to give her space. There will also be times where she doesn’t need space but needs you right there with her. It is a tricky lesson to learn but not an impossible one.

4. Do what you can. If her depression is crippling, you may have to do more around the house, do more with the family if you have kids and definitely do more in the relationship. Do what you can and don’t beat yourself up if you’re not able to do everything.

5. Take care of yourself. Keep your energy level high. You are of no help to your wife if you burn out trying to help her. Do things you like to do, go places you like to go and spend time with friends that get your spirits high.

6. Seek professional assistance. A counselor or therapist can give you pointers on how to help your wife, how to keep yourself healthy and how to get you both into a better place. If you can, try and get your wife into counseling with you and also by herself. It can lead to major breakthroughs.

[Hunterchad]

on 10/24/2008 Safepath,

Thanks. Depression in a relationship is a HUGE stressors to millions and unfortunately a lot of relationships end without either party being aware of the illness' presence. Thanks for the tips.

Visit my Dating, Marriage & Relationship guide at www.hunterchad.com/innerwife

[safepath]

on 7/29/2008 Wikepedia.org has a page "serotonin" which lists foods that naturally contain 25 to 400 mg to help improve "neuotransmitters" for mood improvements, better thought process and lessening problems of various types.
The list of various fruits and veg's we normally eat for good health. Depending on the seriousness, please do the most good as it is only natural food.
They list for best results; "walnuts';(you must just break them and take out only the soft parts of the walnut)Also hickory. The list goes on in some lesser forms found in pineapple, banana, plantains, mushrooms, kiwi plums, tomatoes and various fruits and veg's. Good luck and good health and please share this info with others.