How to Cope With Depression in a Marriage
Depression is an illness, often chronic, that can affect a person's mood or behaviors. It has both physical and emotional effects and, if left untreated, can be deadly. It can strike anyone, regardless of age, gender or race. Primary symptoms of depression can include low mood, fatigue, poor appetite, sleep changes, and loss of interest in daily activities. If you or your spouse--or both of you--are suffering from depression, your marriage may suffer as well. Learning to cope is difficult, but it can potentially save both your marriage and your mental health.
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Instructions
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Seek counseling or medical attention. A counselor or trained medical professional can help you understand more about depression and its causes, and they may also be able to prescribe medication to help control the condition.
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Be open and honest with your spouse. Depression is emotionally and physically draining. In order to understand what the illness is doing to your marriage, keep the lines of communication open. If your spouse is depressed, make sure he knows you will not judge him for his feelings, and show him that you want to understand what he is going through. If both of you are depressed, take turns talking about your feelings and needs.
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Begin an activity together. Although it will not cure the depression, finding a distraction may help you cope. Take up a sport or hobby with your spouse or simply enjoy spending time together. Plant a garden and watch it grow, learn to dance, or do something you have both been wanting to try but have put off until now.
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Have patience. Depression can be a life-long struggle. Be supportive of your spouse and remember that she needs someone to lean on during these difficult times. Be willing to listen and do not expect things to improve instantaneously--in both mental health and marriage, working through problems takes time.
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Tips & Warnings
There is always a potential risk of suicide when dealing with depression. Consulting a medical professional or counselor about suicidal feelings is crucial and potentially life-saving. If you or a loved one are considering suicide, please call a free suicide hotline such as 1-800-SUICIDE.
