9 Pieces Of Advice For People Dating Someone Who Struggles With Depression

  Dating Advice, Relationships
Click Here for the Post http://aplus.com/a/advice-for-dating-someone-with-depression?no_monetization=true

It can be extremely difficult to date someone who struggles with depression. It’s hard to watch someone you care about suffer and know you can’t do anything to “fix” it. Depression can lead to a wide range of behavioral and physical symptoms such as changes in mood. sleep, energy levels, self-esteem, appetite, and more. Treatment often involves medication, talk therapy, or a combination of the two, but many will still struggle with the mental health disorder. 

If you’ve ever loved someone with a mental health issue, you know they are so much more than their disorder. Yet, their ISSUES can come to define a lot about your relationship. In order to truly commit to someone who struggles with depression, you should fully accept this part of them and not think of it as something you can cure. Educate yourself on how to be a supportive partner to someone with depression. 

1. Understand that there is a difference between feeling sad and having depression.

2. Pay attention to differences in their behavior.

3. Be supportive and patient.

4. Don’t blame yourself. It’s not about you and it’s not your fault.

5. Remeber that you are not a psychiatrist, therapist, or counselor. Encourage them to see a professional if they’re not already.

6. Recognize that sometimes they will feel down and there won’t be a specific reason why. Be there for them anyway.

7. Communicate.

8. Being a partner to someone with a mental illness means you need a support system too. Don’t go through it alone. Seek help.

9. Remember that you can’t cure their depression.