How To deal with a loved one in depression?

What if your loved one, friend or relative is suffering from depression? What to do, what to say? Anyone suffering from depression needs patience and understanding from loved ones.

We often want to ask him to "pull himself together", give good advice, tell how we ourselves coped with difficult situations. But this will only make him worse, it will strengthen in him a sense of inferiority and alienation. The best thing you can do is listen to it with care and concern.

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If your partner suddenly breaks his leg, it is clear that his opportunities are limited, he is in pain, and he cannot recover in an instant, simply because you want to. Treat depression the same way.

Every relationship has its own “levers” that can provoke a quarrel at any time: dirty dishes in the sink, things are out of place, unreasonable jealousy, etc. You know all the pain points of your partner - do not press them while he is depressed.

Do small good deeds. They help a lot, even if they are not reciprocated. Kiss your partner goodbye and goodbye, hug when you meet, prepare lunch for work. Even if it seems that the partner does not notice it, even small manifestations of care can relieve him of the feeling of loneliness and uselessness.

Offer to do some shopping, take out the trash, take things to the dry cleaner, or pick up the kids from school. It says much better than words that you understand how difficult everyday duties are and how difficult it is for a depressed person to cope with them.

As corny as it sounds, this is the best advice you can give. Remember that depression is a treatable disease. Everything that happens to your partner is temporary. Don't let him (and yourself!) Forget about it.

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When there is no depression, you can make a kind of "agreement" with your partner: what to do if the episode of the illness recurs. Such an agreement may consist of the following clauses: “leave me alone” or “be kind, patient and attentive”, “insist that I see a psychotherapist”

PS If you feel that it is difficult for you to cope on your own, do not be afraid to contact a psychotherapist. Professional help can help you get through a difficult period in your partner's life.

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