How to Help a Depressed Spouse or Partner

If your spouse is dealing with depression it can be scary and frustrating for the entire family. Not knowing how you can help may make you feel helpless. Although severe depression often requires medical treatment, there are many things you can do as a supportive spouse to help your loved one deal with his depression.

Instructions

How to help a Depressed Spouse or Partner

1. Understand the symptoms. Depression can be identified by many of these symptoms: feelings of sadness that lasts for more than 2 weeks, worthlessness, an inability to concentrate, a loss of pleasure in most activities, significant changes in appetite or sleep patterns and thoughts of suicide.

2. Seek help for your spouse. Many times depression is so debilitating your spouse may be unable to ask for help. Isolation can occur as well as embarrassment that he is suffering from depression. Your spouse may even try to push you away. Encourage your spouse to seek professional help. Offer to set up the appointment with a counselor and a psychiatrist to have a medical evaluation done. Depression may require the use of medications, so it is important to schedule these appointments as soon as you are aware of the problem.

3. Participate with your spouse in his recovery. Although you may feel frustrated and not understand why your spouse is depressed or why he can't pull himself out of his depression, it is important to be involved in his treatment. Help your spouse monitor his medications, attend counseling sessions with your spouse, and help him utilize activities--like exercise and relaxation--designed to treat depression. Attending support groups for family members dealing with depression can also be helpful.

4. Educate yourself. Understanding depression and the effects it has on your spouse is important. Ask questions, visit reliable websites dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of depression, like the one listed in Resources below, and become familiar with the medications your spouse is taking. Be sure to report any concerns you may have to his physician.

5. Be patient. The treatment of depression can take a while, and recovery is not always easy. Try to be supportive and be there to encourage your spouse. If you become concerned that your spouse may hurt himself, contact his doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital.

Tips & Warnings

• Depression can be mild or severe, situational or biological. Your spouse may not always be able to control his thoughts and impulses, so if he is having thoughts of suicide or a desire to harm himself, seek professional help immediately.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Depression Consumer Update