Coping With Your Wife And Depression
Your wife is one of the most important people in your life, and the way that she feels and acts not only affects her, but it also affects you.
If your once vibrant wife is suddenly very irritable, is constantly tired and always seems sad, there's a chance that she could be suffering from depression. Depression is considered a mental disorder and it affects over 350 million people worldwide, and women are more prone to it than men. It not only impacts the person who suffers from it, but it also affects those that the sufferer are near and dear to – you.
If your wife is suffering from depression, she should seek psychotherapy services in order to help her cope; but, she isn't the only one who may need help – you may need help coping, too.
Know It's Not Your Fault
If you feel like you are the cause for your wife's depression, you need to know that you're not. It is a complex mental condition and there are a variety of factors that can cause it, from body image issues to stress – but you are not one of the causes. Remember that.
Focus on You
When depression strikes your spouse, you may lose focus on yourself because you are focusing so much on her. It's only natural to want to focus on her and help her as much as you can – and you should. However, you shouldn't lose focus of your own needs and feelings. Take breaks. You don't have to be with her 24/7. Go out. Do things that you enjoy doing. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good and who can support you.
Have Patience
Understand that depression isn't something that will magically cure itself overnight. You should also know that your wife is going through a very difficult time. It takes time to heal from depression, and it may never go away completely. Have patience, with both your spouse and yourself. Don't get angry with yourself because you feel like you aren't offering the help and support that she needs.
She's Responsible
Your wife is responsible for getting the help that she needs. While you can offer love and support, and you can encourage her to get help, she is ultimately the one who needs to take control of the problem. You can hold her hand, but she needs to do the walking and get the help she needs.
Depression can be a debilitating mental disorder – to both the person who suffers from it and to that person's loved ones. If your wife is suffering from depression, remember that you need to take care of you. To learn more, contact a company like Newsome & Associates, Ltd. with any questions or concerns you have.