How Therapy For Depression Can Improve Your Relationship

What is Depression?

Depression is something that most of us have experienced in our lives, whether it be a long-standing struggle or moments where we are feeling low because of something going on in life. Depression can be described in many ways, although some typical signs are when you have a low mood, low motivation, overeating or not eating much at all, fatigue, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, disconnection in relationships, and isolating yourself.

Depression’s Effect on Relationships

Many times depression can affect relationships because if you are feeling depressed, you most likely are not feeling connected to your partner, struggling to communicate how you are feeling (because maybe you don’t know why you are depressed), or your partner is struggling to know how to support you.

Therapy for Depression Can Improve Communication

Therapy for Depression is a great way to start working on managing depression so that you can be more open about how you are feeling, and communicate your needs within your relationship so your partner is more aware of how to help. My role as a therapist is to help you understand where your depression is coming from, what might be causing it to increase or decrease, and have a safe place to process the thoughts that you are having about yourself or your partner.

The Need for Support and Understanding

Sometimes it can be hard to navigate this on your own, and also others are not always great at supporting you in the way you need. Your partner may be going into problem-solving mode, because of course, they don’t want you to be sad. Many times, that is not what someone needs when they are feeling depressed, all they really want is understanding, empathy, and patience through the process.

Therapy for Depression Can be a Light in the Dark

Sometimes your partner may not understand depression, maybe they have never experienced depression, so they really struggle to support you in that. I don’t think it means they don’t want to support you, they just don’t have the tools to do so. Especially if you are not sure how to manage depression on your own, it can be hard to guide your partner in what to do, so you both can feel lost in the dark.

Understand Yourself Better Through Therapy for Depression

Depression can feel so lonely when you don’t have someone to truly understand what you are feeling, or maybe you don’t even know what’s going on. Therapy for Depression can be helpful in navigating this so that you are not alone in the darkness, and you have someone holding your hand to look at the hurtful moments in your life that are difficult to cope with. When you have the space to understand yourself better, then it can be easier to communicate what you are feeling, identify what might be helpful in moments of depression, and be able to communicate this to your partner so they can sit with you in your pain in a new way.

Closing Thoughts from an Depression Therapist in Arizona

I help patients learn how to understand themselves, find new ways of asking for help and express themselves clearly so their partner can understand, along with increased awareness of warning signs of depression to catch it before it becomes overwhelming. If you are looking to start individual therapy, you can book a free 15-minute consultation call with Aspen Grove Counseling to speak to a therapist about what struggles you are having, and find new ways to live life with depression.