Don’t feel like your partner’s depression is your fault — it’s not. While depression can be triggered by certain events, it’s a mental health condition that occurs within a person. All relationships need effective communication from both parties, but being with a partner who is diagnosed with depression or anxiety almost requires you to develop a new language.
Learn About Their Condition
When someone we love is dealing with depression, we want to help but might not know where to start. 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. Remember that depression can look different from person to person. Also, there are different types of depression, and some types — like high-functioning depression or persistent depressive disorder — can make it even more of a challenge to recognize the symptoms. Dating and romantic relationships are extremely personal, and many would argue there’s no way to “control” who you fall in love with.
Depression isn’t like having a headache — you can’t take a couple of pills and find that it’s all better in a hour. Finally, always focus on the positive aspects of your relationship and remember the love you have for your partner. Though they have mental health struggles, this is only one part of their life and does not make up their entire identity or your entire relationship.
Tips for Dating Someone With Panic Disorder
It can also cause embarrassment or other conflicts if you mention their mental health struggle in a group setting. For example, it is not unusual to feel somatic sensations during a panic attack, such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, OnlineDatingCritic nausea, tingling, shaking, and chest pain. Such symptoms are often accompanied by feelings of fear, nervousness, and even shame. Your partner may have trouble focusing or getting things done due to their heightened apathy or emotional state.
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It is also important to take care of yourself as you are supporting someone with depression and anxiety. For anxiety disorders with specific fears or phobias, exposure therapy is often the first-line treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a short-term form of psychotherapy that has been proven to be an effective form of treatment for both anxiety disorders and depression.
Sexual Functioning
The saddest part about depression is that people who are not suffering from it sometimes glorify and romanticize it. As if it is somehow “beautiful” to be damaged, thinking that someone will magically pop out of nowhere, cure the afflicted person’s sorrows, and lift their pains away. If the person and the relationship are right for you, depression isn’t likely to be a deal breaker. Discuss the process with friends and family; having a good support system can help.
If you’re certain of being rejected ahead of every first date, pay attention to your behavior patterns. This conviction that things may not work out can cause you to self-sabotage any relationship prospects. I also had a relationship with a girl who actively refused to get help. She admitted anxiety and depression, worsening family/friend life, and always pushed against anyone trying to help. It’s sad, because she put on a very fun and friendly persona in public, but was a wreck when dealing with close relationships. Those types of people can be toxic to your own self-esteem, and being the “crutch” like you said is a huge emotional burden to bear.
Learn how depression affects your family member or friend — and learn what to do when it gets worse. All too often, people feel ashamed about their depression and mistakenly believe they should be able to overcome it with willpower alone. But depression seldom gets better without treatment and may get worse. With the right treatment approach, the person you care about can get better.
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If you notice your partner seems off or stressed, ask them how they are feeling. Asking open-ended questions will demonstrate that you come from a place of care and concern. Let them know you are happy to help with something stressful, such as seeking a therapist.
