What To Know About Dating Someone With Depression

Almost as if they were wishing they weren’t here anymore. If you have ever found yourself dating someone with depression, you likely have a lot of insider look at this relationship tips to share. In fact, more than likely, you have come to the conclusion that dating someone with depression can be an absolute nightmare.

(That’s actually not a lie.) This might seem like a wrenching betrayal, but it’s a healthy thing to do. Just remember to check in and let them know you’re thinking of them and that you’ll be coming home safe and sound. There are many aspects of dating someone who is depressed that you may not have been considered before entering the relationship. It may take some time before things feel normal again but remember that no one recovers at the same pace, so don’t try to rush anything! Your support will make all the difference in helping them overcome depression. The most important thing you can do is be there for your partner during the good and the bad times.

Ways To Be Supportive When Dating Someone With Depression

In today’s blog I am going to help shed some light on a tough situation… How to work together with your partner when you are dating someone with depression. There are many effective treatments for depression, but doing nothing and hoping that symptoms will magically disappear is not one of them. Your role in their recovery is to support them, not to try to fix them or force them into a certain treatment. After a year-and-a-half of dating, my boyfriend and I were seriously discussing marriage, but he ended the relationship when I couldn’t “snap out of” an episode of depression in a few months.

Ever met someone SO happy that they can’t fathom what depression feels like? If your loved one is living with depression, they may need professional help. But you can also have a great impact on their recovery. There’s no defined timeline on depression, nor any guarantee it won’t return. But with commitment, time, and love, there’s also no reason you and your partner can’t have a long and prosperous future together.

So if they’re not putting in the effort and aren’t doing their share to make the relationship work, you’re right to walk away. And in these moments, it’s normal to feel frustrated and disappointed. But avoid criticizing them and be compassionate and understanding. Although you may not be the one directly suffering from depression, when you know someone suffering from it, it will impact your life. So, most of us have been affected by depression at some point in our lives, whether through a friend, co-worker, or partner. In this moment, it’s incredibly important not to judge them or make them feel uncomfortable.

This Is What You Need to Know When Dating Someone With Depression

Though there is often an environmental and emotional component to depression, the underlying issue is usually biological. This is one reason two people may be going through the same or similar situations and one may develop depression while the other does not. Depression, as with all things involving the brain, is complex, and not even the most advanced researchers fully understand exactly what causes it. My friend’s mother is a strong Christian who cares deeply for her son, but she bought into the myth that depression is not real.

How does your new boo handle things when you’re apart? Most importantly, never make fun of their fears or the things they’re afraid of. These fears are real; if this sounds silly to you, it’s better to keep your mouth closed. If you’re not sure if what you’re going to say isn’t doing any good, it’s better to keep quiet. You do these things because of love, because you also know that if the tables were turned, your partner would do the same for you.

If she is working with a therapist she doesn’t seem to connect with, encourage her to find a new one. As a result, people with BPD may quickly go from idealization to devaluation—or thinking that their partner is a horrible person. Problems start to arise, however, when reality sets in. When a person with BPD realizes that their new partner is not faultless, that image of the perfect, idealized soulmate can come crashing down.

You’re a partner not a mental health professional — you can’t “fix” their depression. What you can do, however, is help them find the resources that might help. You can’t talk a person out of depression and you shouldn’t ignore it either. Just let your partner know you see what they’re going through and are doing your best to understand. Medication can have a place in treatment, but that is for a mental health professional to determine.

Tips for Supporting a Romantic Partner With Anxiety

“Dating someone with depression can be hard,” says marriage and family therapist Grace Martin. It is natural to want to help do whatever you can to make things easier for your partner when you are dating someone with depression. If you neglect your own basic needs, you will not have much to offer others, especially your partner. We all need to take time for self-care and maintaining our own well-being becomes even more essential when supporting a loved one. Avoid prioritizing your partner’s needs at the expense of your own or you may end up feeling overwhelmed and resentful. You may risk experiencing symptoms of depression yourself, if you do not take good care of your mental, physical, and emotional health.