Depression: How to strengthen and maintain relationships
Are you one of the millions of people who struggle with depression? Or are you married to, do you date, do you love, do you care for, do you parent with, do you parent, or have a friendship with one of the millions of people struggling with depression? Depression can take a toll on relationships, but also we know that quality, healthy relationships can be a part of the health and healing resources needed to manage depression symptoms. So what can you do to maintain, strengthen, and even develop greater relationships through depression?
Today we will discuss 3 ways that you can work to maintain and strengthen your relationship when depression is a factor.
Try hard to understand and be understood:
Understanding and quality communication is imperative to the health and wellness of any relationship, but even more so when you are working through an extra level of challenge
For those in relationships with an individual struggling with depression:
Try to understand depression further through research and learning
Ask open-ended questions about the experiences of the person you care about
Ask more specific questions about needs and how you can help
Offer multiple options for connection and spending time together
Do not be offended when offers are turned down
For those with depression looking to maintain relationships:
Remember that people cannot understand your experience if you do not share it with them
Look for ways that you can connect or offer suggestions that you do feel capable of rather than just turning down offers.
Being willing to stretch every so often. Part of any healing or emotional growth process is stepping outside of your comfort zone, so pick some strategic ways with some strategy people to push yourself in that way.
Be clear in your needs for yourself and communicate them with others.
Think quality over quantity:
One of the major symptoms of depression is a lack of motivation, reduced energy, and fatigue. We have to take these very powerful symptoms into consideration when addressing relational health in depression. Because of that, we need to think of ways to use the littler energy on tap in the most efficient and effective ways to increase connection. Those struggling with depression may not have extra energy to waste, so efficiency is key. Something to consider:
Reduce extra steps like driving far distances, tasks of cooking, making reservations, etc. While on their own, these steps may seem like no big deal, but in combination and viewed through the fog of depression, these tasks may create barriers to the real goal- connection with people.
Opt for small groups over big crowds- think about the people that are most quality in relationship type and strength and make sure the energy that the depressed person does have is being focused on the relationships with the most potential for quality return of super.
Remember that something is always better than nothing. Maybe going out to dinner feels too much, but what about a casual text conversation to catch up? Just because you are not able to connect in the way that you desire does not mean that some level of connection is not valuable or beneficial. Something is always better than nothing!
Remember that there are many seasons to life:
This one is particularly important. Like many mental health or physical health struggles, symptoms can come in waves and vary in intensities. Just because symptoms are particularly bad now does not mean that symptoms will stay that way forever. And depression symptoms can and do improve with the right support.
If you are interested in learning more about depression therapy or are struggling to support someone that you love who experiences depression, our team of therapists can help. Through online therapy or in-person therapy services at our Arlington, TX-based counseling group, our team can help you connect with the support that you are looking for.
