Depression can place strains and burdens on relationships. According to HelpGuide.org, it is important to pay attention to your own needs or else the negative aspects of a loved one's depression could wear you down. As you deal with someone else's depression, you might struggle with emotions such as helplessness, frustration, anger, fear, guilt and sadness. It is important to keep in mind that all of these emotions are a normal aspect of what you are going trough.
Step 1
Talk to your loved one about how her depression-related behaviors have made you feel. Be gentle and avoid criticism, but share your feelings. HelpGuide.org says to focus on your own well-being first because if you feel resentment or instability, you might not be able to handle the pressure of helping the other person. Maintain your social life and all appointments. Ask for support from those around you so that you can share everything you are going through. You also might join a support group where you can swap stories with others who are experiencing or have experienced similar situations.
Step 2
Talk to your doctor, look at established and respected medical websites and read other published sources that provide details and insight about depression. This will help you put your loved one's behaviors into perspective. When someone you are close to has depression you might feel that you are being pushed away and unappreciated. These feeling are rational and valid responses to many of the outward signs of depression, such as lack of energy, isolation, irritability and hopelessness. Understanding that depression is an irrational illness that takes over your loved one's life and can control how he thinks and react to certain situations will help better cope with your relationship.
Step 3
Research depression treatments and their effectiveness. This will enable you to help your loved one make important treatment decisions. It also will help you understand that depression is treatable and your loved one will overcome it and return to who she used to be. Read about treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and/or medication. Talk with a mental health professional about the effectiveness of each option.
Step 4
Talk to your loved one about the changes you have noticed and why you are concerned, then insist that he get the treatment he needs. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with depression many times feel they should be able to overcome their symptoms without treatment and might even refuse to acknowledge that they are depressed. Without treatment, however, depression rarely gets better and can get worse. Share your knowledge that depression is a medical condition and not a personal flaw. Encourage him to seek help from a mental health professional and explain the success treatment can have. Offer your support throughout the treatment process. Getting your loved one into treatment with a mental health professional will take much of the burden off of you.
Step 5
Get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in nutritional value, such as fruits, vegetable, whole grains and lean proteins. Get exercise at least five times a week for no less than 30 minutes a day. Your physical health is equally as important as your mental health, and both can suffer as a result of having a loved one with depression.
