Depression is a serious mental illness. It's not a figment of your spouse's imagination or something that he can consciously stop feeling. He may experience symptoms such as anxiety, chronic sadness, hopelessness, changes in appetite or sleep patterns and a loss of interest in activities he once found enjoyable. Living with a depressed spouse is a challenge but it's not impossible.
Step 1
Get help for your spouse, if she hasn't already done so. If you suspect that she is depressed, make an appointment for her with her doctor. Go with her to the appointment. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, this is the most important thing you can do to help your spouse.
Step 2
Educate yourself on the facts about depression through literature from trusted resources. Read information from the National Institute of Mental Health or the MayoClinic.com (see resources). Knowing what you're up against will help you to be better prepared to deal with the symptoms.
Step 3
Provide support and understanding. Listen to him if he needs to vent. Don't criticize him for being depressed. Once he's found an appropriate treatment plan, encourage him to stick with it. According to the MayoClinic.com, supporting your spouse may include taking him to therapy sessions or doctor's appointments.
Step 4
Help your spouse with household chores to make her life as stress-free as possible, according to the MayoClinic.com. Dealing with depression is stressful enough. Offer to make a schedule for doing certain chores together, or split up certain responsibilities.
Step 5
Encourage your spouse to participate in activities outside the home. Try to get him out of the house every day. Go for walks after dinner. Suggest doing something fun on the weekends. Offer to take him to the movies or his favorite restaurant. Don't be discouraged if he turns you down, but offer again at a later date.
Step 6
Find support for yourself. It's not easy to deal with a spouse who's severely depressed. You may find it helpful to have a therapist of your own to talk to while you're dealing with her depression. Try not to isolate yourself socially. Find time to see your friends and family.
