Seven methods to support your partner cope with sadness

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• Oct 5, 2022 | Poonam Nath

Seeing a loved one suffer from depression can be upsetting. Here are some strategies to support and assist your partner who is suffering from depression.

Digital Desk: It can be depressing to watch your partner suffer from depression. Confusion, frustration, and overload are all possibilities. You may believe that no matter how much "assistance" you offer your partner, it is either disregarded or dismissed. Worse, you may begin to feel somewhat responsible for your partner's depression.

Depression is an isolating disorder that can disrupt relationships and make family members feel powerless and afraid. It might be difficult to know how to support a sad partner. Your assistance, on the other hand, is critical. Although you cannot treat your partner's depression, you can assist them in their recovery.

Kirti Verma, Chief Psychologist and Relationship Expert at Kripa Social Welfare Society recommended crucial techniques to support and assist your partner through a period of despair.

Follow these simple steps to cope with depression:

1. First and foremost, educate yourself.

Nothing is more harmful than hearing "simply don't be sad" or "I don't see how you can be so unhappy." Educating yourself on the causes, symptoms, and indicators of depression is a simple way to support your partner without saying anything harsh.

2. Inquire with your spouse about how they would like to be supported.

Instead of assuming how to help, ask if there is any way you can help them. It's possible they don't know, and that's fine. However, if they do, try following their advice and see what occurs.

3. Pay attention

Don't try to address the problem of depression. Simply pay attention. Use listening skills such as reflection on what they are saying and feeling, as well as validation. Avoid giving advice or addressing problems.

4. Create an appreciating culture

Depression makes people feel worthless and useless, and it makes them feel guilty. Show sincere gratitude for anything about them or something they did. Find an adjective you like and connect it to a story about a specific example. E.g. You are quite helpful. You made my day simpler by making lunch for me today.

5. Establish modest goals and pay attention to them.

Your despair won't disappear overnight, just as Rome wasn't constructed in a day. Set reachable, realistic goals, and offer your partner all the support you can. For instance, getting up at a specific time, getting dressed, spending a certain number of minutes outside, etc. are all modest, attainable goals that may be accomplished together.

6. Encourage the person to get help.

Offer to go with the sad person to their first appointment with a doctor or therapist and help them find one. Encourage your loved one to keep a thorough record of their signs and symptoms to mention to the doctor. Give the person any assistance they may need.

7. Understand when additional support is required.

You did not cause, cannot cure, and cannot manage your partner's depression. When nothing seems to be working and they are in severe distress, seek experienced professional assistance. If your partner is actively threatening to take their own or someone else's life, bring them to the nearest emergency room as quickly as possible.