Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLearn More About DepressionUnderstand What Depression Really MeansPractice Self-CareSeek TherapyBe There for Your PartnerDon’t Take Your Partner’s Depression PersonallyHelp Out With ChoresEncourage Your Partner to Seek TreatmentOffer HopeDemonstrate Your LoveFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Learn More About Depression

Understand What Depression Really Means

Practice Self-Care

Seek Therapy

Be There for Your Partner

Don’t Take Your Partner’s Depression Personally

Help Out With Chores

Encourage Your Partner to Seek Treatment

Offer Hope

Demonstrate Your Love

Frequently Asked Questions

Close

If you are in a relationship with someone who has depression, you are likely struggling with a mix of emotions and lots of questions. For instance, you might wonder:

All of these questions are normal and it’s understandable that you’d want to support your loved one to the best of your ability.

While your questions are valid, it’s also important to understand that every person’s experience with depression is unique so here are a few things you can do to help your loved one and yourself.

8 Ways to Provide Emotional Support for Your Partner

An Overview of Clinical Depression

It’s especially important to validate your partner’s feelings and experience of this very real and biologically based illness. Know that just like any other illness, it can be treated.

Suicide is also a very real risk of depression, so it’s important to keep your loved one’s environment safe (such as removing any alcohol, drugs, or guns) and to take it seriously if yourloved one is feeling suicidal.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

It can be very stressful coping with another person’s depression. It’s OK to take some time out for yourself. Self-care is not selfish. In fact, you’ll both be better off if you carve out time to safeguard your mind, body, and spirit with habits like:

When someone you care about is depressed, it’s OK for you to feel frustrated, angry, and upset. It is very important, however, that you don’t allow these feelings to fester and grow.

Therapists, counselors, and support groups are not only for people with depression. Seeking professional help for yourself can help you feel supported, vent your frustrations, and make you more aware of your own emotional needs.

Therapycan also provide answers to any questions you have about coping with the depression of a loved one. Even if you don’t go the mental health professional route, it’s important to lean on your support network during this difficult time.

Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Get Help Now

We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Should I Ask My Partner About Their Therapy Sessions?

One of the most important things you can do for someone who is depressed is simply to be there for them andverbalize your support. Hold them close or just listen while they share their feelings.

Offer to help them with making appointments or doing some of the daily chores that they are struggling to keep up with. Let them know that you are there for them in whatever way they need while they make their recovery.

How to Help Someone Who Is Depressed

Depression can make people behave in ways that they normally wouldn’t when they are feeling well. They may become angry, irritable, or withdrawn. They may not be interested in going out or doing things with you like they used to. Your spouse or significant other maylose interest in sex.

These things are not personal, and they don’t mean that your partner no longer cares for or about you. They are symptoms of the illness that requires treatment.

Just like when a person has any other illness, they may simply not feel well enough to take care of paying the bills orcleaning the house. And, just like with any other illness, you may have to temporarily take over some of their daily chores until they feel well enough to do them again.

The Best Online Therapy Services for Depression We Tried and Tested

Your Partner Is Not Your Therapist

These reasons, which will be unique to the individual, can help them hold on a bit longer until the pain subsides.

How to Support a Partner Who’s Undergoing Therapy

Let them know that you understand that depression is affecting their thoughts, feelings, and behavior and that you (still) love them. Reassure them that you are here to support them in their journey to get better.

Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, you can have a healthy relationship with someone who is depressed. Open communication is of utmost importance. Communication will allow you to learn what your partner needs in terms of support and you’ll also have the space to let your partner know how you’re feeling as you support them. It’s important, however, that your partner seek treatment for their depression so that they can also learn how to manage and cope with their symptomsas it’s not your responsibility to take that on. It’s also not only your partner’s job to educate you about depression—but you can also get support, guidance, and tips on your own accord. Overall, if you and your partner are putting in the work to best understand one another, you can have a healthy relationship. You can also enlistthe help of a relationship counselor.

Yes, you can have a healthy relationship with someone who is depressed. Open communication is of utmost importance. Communication will allow you to learn what your partner needs in terms of support and you’ll also have the space to let your partner know how you’re feeling as you support them. It’s important, however, that your partner seek treatment for their depression so that they can also learn how to manage and cope with their symptomsas it’s not your responsibility to take that on. It’s also not only your partner’s job to educate you about depression—but you can also get support, guidance, and tips on your own accord. Overall, if you and your partner are putting in the work to best understand one another, you can have a healthy relationship. You can also enlistthe help of a relationship counselor.

Living With Someone With Mental Illness

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dean J, Keshavan M.The neurobiology of depression: An integrated view.Asian J Psychiatr.2017;27:101-111. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2017.01.025National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dean J, Keshavan M.The neurobiology of depression: An integrated view.Asian J Psychiatr.2017;27:101-111. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2017.01.025National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Dean J, Keshavan M.The neurobiology of depression: An integrated view.Asian J Psychiatr.2017;27:101-111. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2017.01.025National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.

Dean J, Keshavan M.The neurobiology of depression: An integrated view.Asian J Psychiatr.2017;27:101-111. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2017.01.025

National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.

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