Is Your Partner Depressed?

If you are concerned and wonder if your partner is depressed, consider the following symptoms of depression: aches and pains, fatigue, loss of appetite, significant weight loss or gain; sleep problems; feels sad, disappointed, confused or anxious; experiences a lose of interest in activities; isolates from others; finds little pleasure in life; expresses recurrent thoughts of death or suicide; appears to feel worthless or excessively guilty.

Most people feel down from time to time because it is a natural response to stress and tension but with depression these feelings are severe or long-lasting feelings that occur nearly every day for two weeks or more.
 

It Takes Two to Cope With Depression
Steps to Help Your Partner

•See a doctor
- Check to be sure there is not a purely physical reason for the depression
- Obtain a referral to a mental health professional
- The best treatment for clinical depression is generally a combination of medications and therapy.

• Have realistic expectations about depression
- Be patient about what you can and cannot do to help your partner
- Know that the depression is NOT your fault
- Depression may affect your sex life – your partner’s interest may not be the same, (encourage your partner to talk to the physician if this continues months after treatment begins).

• Offer Unconditional love and support
Communicate to your partner that you:
1) Do not blame your partner or yourself
2) Can work as a team to conquer the depression
3) Continue to support and love your partner (Keep in mind that depressed people often refuse the help – do not take it personally)

• Attempt to keep your routines
- Participate in as many of your usual activities as you can
- Maintain your friendships
- Make time for yourself – maintain your own emotional balance

• Talk to your partner about your feelings
- Sharing your feelings and experiences is what is needed to show your partner that you need to solve problems together.

• Ask for help
-You need support too --your work and social life, health and emotions can be impacted by your partner’s depression.


More Facts About Depression

Depression is Common:
- It affects millions of people each year; however, it is widely misunderstood.
- Depression is often ignored or untreated -- some people may not recognize the symptoms, are afraid of appearing weak or feel too depressed to take action.
- Depression can be treated successfully and people start to feel well again in a few weeks.

What Causes Depression?
- family history (may increase risk)
- imbalances of certain chemicals in the brain
- major life changes (positive and negative can trigger depression) Examples: death or a promotion
- major illnesses
- use of alcohol or other drugs
- certain medications
- it can occur for no apparent reason

Depression Can Affect Anyone
- older people
- middle-aged
- young adults
- adolescents
- children
- women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than men—the reason is not known (could be biological differences or that women are more likely to seek help for depression).

Types of Depression:
- Major depression (interferes with normal life; can continue for months or years if not treated)
- Seasonal Affective disorder (SAD)-results from changes in the season most common in fall or winter(decrease in sunlight)
- Dysthymia- mildly depressed for years
- Bipolar disorder
- experience periods of depression and mania (highs and lows)