Sunday, March 24, 2024

My Girlfriend Has Severe Depression

Helping Her Get Treatment

6 Signs You’re Severely Depressed
  • 1Encourage her to think of depression as a medical issue. Dont just think of depression as “feeling down.” Instead, stress that depression is a treatable, medical condition. Hearing this from someone she trusts can help empower your girlfriend to get help.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source
  • If you don’t know whether your girlfriend’s depression is episodic or chronic, encourage her to see a doctor so she can get the kind of care she needs.
  • Remind her to separate herself from the depression. For example, if she says things like “I”m depressed.” Help her reframe it by saying, “No, Cindy, you are someone who has depression. You are a kind, beautiful person who feels and experiences depression.”
  • 2Help her seek counseling or therapy. Even if your girlfriend wants to get help for long-term or serious depression, her condition can make actually doing so difficult. There are many ways that you can help her connect to therapy and other kinds of help. For instance:
  • Offer to help her research different kinds of counseling, therapy, and medical treatments.
  • Listen to her thoughts, concerns, and questions about these treatments.
  • Offer to go with her to the doctor or counseling sessions.
  • If she is working with a therapist she doesnt seem to connect with, encourage her to find a new one.
  • Continue to ask her how she feels.
  • Changes in behavior that last more than a few weeks
  • Mentioning death or killing herself
  • What If My Partner Threatens To Commit Suicide During The Breakup

    Sometimes, your partner may threaten to commit suicide if you leave them. This is a serious situation, one that requires immediate attention, but the right kind of attention. The threat of suicide during the breakup should not compel you to stay in the relationship.

    You cannot be the one who makes your partner decide whether or not they want to live or die. That is up to them. Attempting to save your partner by staying with them can only make the relationship more dysfunctional and could ultimately result in you resenting them.

    Is She Depressed Or Just Sad

    We all have blue days, but if you want to help your girlfriend with depression, the first thing you need to do is learn the difference between depression and everyday sadness.

    Whats the difference between the occasional blue mood and depression? While sad feelings may come and go due to personal or professional issues, depression can last months or years. In addition, depression usually includes a loss of interest in activities, uncontrollable crying jags, weight loss or gain, suicidal thoughts and/or trouble concentrating.

    Depression can come in many different forms. It may be situational, caused by recent life events, or it may be kickstarted by chemical changes in the brain. Some types, such as persistent depressive disorder, have a long-lasting and constant presence, while others, like seasonal affective disorder, strike during certain times of the year. . Women are twice as likely to experience depression as men. A 2016 study found that where 9.3% of women have experienced depressive symptoms, only 5.4% of men have been diagnosed with the same.

    The aforementioned symptoms are more than just a residual sadness although long-lasting unhappiness is a common signal. The combination of symptoms often makes it hard to continue everyday life as normal. Regular activities such as showering, studying or going out with friends can become unusually difficult or tiring.

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    My Gf Has Diagnose Anxiety And Depression And Its Taking Its Toll On Me

    raitosaito said:We havent been dating extremely long, but her family, friends, and therapist have all said it was a lot worse before I came to the picture. I gave her structure apparently, and everyone seems to imprint some kind of savior image onto me. Also her current meds are supposedly the most effective so far, and I monitor and pill organizer. I know I dont owe her or any of her associates anything, but being told that I helped her into a healthier life style kind of I guess makes me feel like I contribute to giving someone a much more positive life whom I truly care for. I guess figuiring out how to balance that with my own wellbeing is the real trick. idk honestly

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    Dos: Six Helpful Ways To Support Your Girlfriend

    Me and my girlfriend are depressed, have anxiety, used to self harm ...
  • Encourage her to seek, and stick with, therapy: This may entail helping her research and find the best counseling in your area. She may want someone to go to therapy with her and offer a supportive presence, or she may need a nudge to continue going to therapy even when she doesnt feel like it.
  • Do your research: The more you know, the more you can help. Take the time to read about depression, understand its symptoms and consider what the experience is like for your girlfriend. Youll learn helpful strategies and gain valuable insight into the struggle shes facing.
  • Find practical ways to help: People battling depression often find they lack the energy or motivation to perform activities even necessary everyday to-dos. Whether its giving a hand with groceries, cooking a meal or giving a quick spruce-up to the home, look for specific, tangible ways to step in and help.
  • Be patient: Depression often takes time to heal or may linger long-term. An exciting activity or helpful counseling appointment wont end her depression overnight it takes time. Extend patience and let her know that youre here to support her journey without pressure for immediate improvement.
  • Take care of yourself: In your well-meaning efforts to care for your girlfriend, dont neglect your own self-care. Take a step back and recharge your own batteries when you need to. Make sure you have outlets to safely express your own emotions and experiences. Pursue your own hobbies, friendships and health.
  • Read Also: How Can You Be Diagnosed With Depression

    Overland Iop In Los Angeles California

    For people struggling with depression, its important to have compassion and to take action to overcome this state, including seeking professional help. Remember that the negative thoughts you are experiencing are likely being driven by depression, not by a person. Depression can lead to the ultimate negative outcome of death, so please consider calling National Hotline if your significant other is experiencing thoughts of self-harm. SAMHSAs National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

    There are many types of treatment that have proven to be effective for depression, but two are the most effective: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy .

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy . CBT is problem-focused and action-oriented meaning it is used to treat specific problems related to depression and the therapists role is to assist the patients in finding and practicing effective strategies to address the identified goals and decrease symptoms of the disorder and limit adverse outcomes.

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    Dont Leave Them Along

    When your loved one is depressed, they may often say one thing but mean another. Distancing, or self-isolating is a common symptom of depression. Distancing is a self-destructing path, where the person pushes others away for one of many reasons.

    This can be because they are afraid to hurt those around them, they are afraid of being hurt by others, they feel they arent good enough for others, they are embarrassed about their mental state, or any number of other reasons.

    When your partner says they want to be left alone, chances are they dont. This is often times a cry for help.

    Be there for them. Assure them that its okay to not be okay, but that you will be there with them through it, to help them pull through. Dont try to make them talk if they dont want to. Dont ask questions, because chances are they wont want to answer them. Bring them food, put on a movie, and just be there.

    Read Also: Moderate Depression Vs Severe Depression

    Is My Girlfriend Boyfriend Depressed Or Unhappy

    Wondering if your girlfriend or boyfriend is depressed or just unhappy can cause a lot of anxiety in a relationship. You may wonder if her low moods have a clinical explanation, or if she is just not happy being your partner. There are vital differences between sadness and depression that are important for everyone to understand.

    People who have never dealt with depression think it’s just being sad or being in a bad mood. That’s not what depression is for me it’s falling into a state of grayness and numbness. Dan Reynolds

    Sadness is a human emotion that all of us feel at some time in our lives. Stress at work, low self-esteem and relationship challenges can all lead to us feeling like we want to hide away. If your partner appears sad and withdrawn, this may be a sign of depression. However, it could also indicate problems in your relationship.

    Does either of you feel insecure, for example? Do you trust one another, or are you both easily jealous? Perhaps there is a lot of conflict in your relationship or you put each other down when arguments arise. Whatever the reason, if you think your girlfriend is depressed because of your relationship, its important to keep the lines of communication open.

    Signs Your Partner Is Depressed

    Living Through Depression: Julia’s Story

    Feeling a bit low is normal every once in a while, and there doesnt always have to be a reason. Depression, on the other hand, is a long-term mental illness that impacts your ability to function and stops you from enjoying things you used to like doing.

    According to the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , which is used by mental health professionals, there are nine determining factors when separating sadness from depression. The severity of each symptom is also considered as part of the diagnostic process.

    Here are the signs your partner is depressed:

    • Feeling depressed nearly every day
    • Experiencing a lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy
    • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
    • Changes in appetite coupled with weight gain or weight loss Irritability, restlessness or agitation
    • Extreme fatigue/tiredness

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    Don’t Take It Personally

    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 may lose 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.

    Donts: Six Actions To Avoid

  • Minimizing her experience: While they might seem like helpful phrases, things like youve got so much to be grateful for or just focus on the positives can do more harm than good. These statements imply that depression is your girlfriends fault for being negative when depression is much more than merely being sad or discontent.
  • Advising against medication: If a doctor has prescribed medication for your partner, never try to interfere with her treatment or encourage her to get better on her own.
  • Avoiding discussion of suicide: Noticing any signs or symptoms that your girlfriend may be suicidal? Dont be afraid to talk to her directly, and if necessary, get others involved. Broaching the topic may feel frightening, but opening up the door can make a huge difference.
  • Taking it personally: When you love someone, its natural to want to make them happy. Dont take it personally that your girlfriend is struggling with depression or may be withdrawing emotionally. It doesnt reflect on you. Her struggle is not your fault.
  • Giving unwanted advice: From the outside looking in, you may have tons of great advice you think will help your girlfriend feel better. However, your advice may feel impossible, unhelpful or unwanted to someone struggling with depression. Unless asked, its best to simply listen and offer support and encouragement.
  • Read Also: Coping Skills To Help With Depression

    Dos And Donts When Helping People Struggling With Depression

    When youre trying to figure out how to help someone with depression, it can be tricky to know what to say. This is particularly true when its someone close to you, such as a significant other. You obviously want to say the right things without unintentionally saying something that may be unhelpful.

    Dont worry the most important thing is that youre trying your best. Keep these dos and donts in mind to guide you toward constructive dialogue.

    Take Time For Yourself When You Need It

    True Life: My Partner Is Battling Depression

    Its only natural to want to help and do whatever you can to make things a little easier for them. You wont have much to offer if you neglect your own basic needs, though.

    Everyone needs time for self-care, but looking after your well-being becomes even more essential when supporting a loved one. If you prioritize their needs at the expense of your own, youll end up overwhelmed and resentful.

    Exhaustion and stress can eventually lead to burnout. You might even begin to experience depression symptoms yourself.

    To maintain mental health, good self-care practices are key.

    Find more tips on creating a personalized self-care plan here.

    An added benefit of taking care of your physical and mental health? It can encourage your partner to do the same.

    Healthy boundaries make healthier relationships.

    Establishing boundaries means setting limits around specific behaviors that dont work for you. Boundaries help safeguard physical and emotional needs, so honoring them is healthy. It doesnt make you selfish or uncaring.

    Maybe your partner regularly cancels plans when they feel low, which you completely understand. The challenge lies in the fact that they want you to skip out, too. You set a boundary by telling them that unless its an emergency, youll go ahead with the plans you made.

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    Just Make Sure She Knows Youre There Because You Want To Be

    I was in her shoes for quite a while. Depression takes its ups and downs, but it always helped when my S.O. would be there with me, and for me, without prompt or pressure to do anything. For months, I didnt want to leave the house, but he would make sure that I was comfortable and that I knew he loved me. Sometimes it was even hard to show affection toward him.

    Acknowledge her problems and empathize with her.

    Depression is like a constant battle in your headalways telling you that you arent good enough. I know that being the S.O. in this situation is hard and discouraging at times. I found a job that I enjoyed and that really helped me begin to see the light, although it was about two years before I could say I wasnt depressed. It took a ton of love and support from my S.O. as well as help from a doctor. Just make sure she knows youre there because YOU want to be. Little things that show that you care are helpful tooflowers, fave food, a movie night in, breakfast in bed, or even to just hold her hand.blahblah1327

    Reassure Them And Be A Good Listener

    It might seem super simple, but just telling your partner that you love them and support them is the best thing you can do to help them get through this tough time. It will help make your girlfriend feel like she isnt in it alone, and knowing that someone is there to listen to her talk and offer support will go a long way in building up your relationship as a couple.

    If shes having a particularly bad day, be patient with her and try to respond in a caring and calm manner.

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    Dating Someone With Depression: What You Should Know

    Dating someone with depression can be tough. It is difficult to see someone you care about struggle and not be able to help them. If your loved one has depression, he or she may feel hopeless or show signs of social withdrawal, which can leave you feeling like you did something wrong when you did not. Understanding depression can help you communicate with your partner when their depression manifests. By learning and practicing new relational skills, you can foster connection and closeness with your partner, even when they are struggling with depression. You can learn how to support your partner and how to be supported.

    Although, it might be time to be concerned about your relationship. You can definitely be in a healthy relationship with someone who has a mental illness but keep an eye out for when things get unhealthy. If any of the red flags come up, dont ignore them. Violence or abuse of any capacity should not be tolerated, regardless of mental illness status. Your safety is important, and that comes first.

    Create A Healthy And Supportive Environment

    Girlfriend Comfort for Depression ASMR Roleplay — (Female x Listener) (Relaxing) (Cuddling)

    Dealing with depression in a relationship doesnt have to be a significant struggle – youve just got to learn how to develop healthy habits together as a couple. That might mean you have to change a few of your own patterns, especially if you suffer from something like substance abuse or a mental health issue of your own.

    Creating a healthy and supportive environment at home will give you and your partners life a little more harmony and consistency. The more healthy habits and patterns you set, the better your partner will be able to cope with their depression.

    To do this, you could:

    • Spend time together doing things you love .
    • Carve out time for each of you to spend with your friends.
    • Establish a healthy diet, exercise, and sleep routine.
    • Go to couples counseling to get things off your chest and maintain an open flow of communication .
    • Encourage practicing mindfulness or yoga together.
    • Create a wind-down routine together before bed.
    • Establish boundaries and give each other space to breathe .

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