How do I show support to my partner who is depressed?
My partner has been dealing with depression and anxiety since he was in high school, hes now in his early 30s and is on medication to treat both. Ive been with him for about 4 years and we recently married earlier this year.
A recurring problem is I dont know how to show support to him when he is experiencing depression or anxiety. (I dont know if he thinks this is a problem). Sometimes when we are about to go to bed, he is suddenly in a sad mood and can not tell me what is wrong other than he feels unhappy about life. I know a lot of it has to do with him not enjoying his work life but when I hear him say this, I cant help but think his unhappiness has to do with me although he has said many times that it is not. Usually the next day, he appears to be in a good mood again. But during those moments when hes down, I dont know how to be supportive, instead I am overwhelmed with my own emotions and fear. I start to think maybe he wants to leave me and is reminded of the time where he unexpectedly broke up with me when I thought everything was fine. I feel scared but I dont want to make things about me so I do not communicate these feelings. So I become silent myself because I dont know if saying Im sorry youre feeling down is worth much.
What can I do or say when my partner is depressed? How do I be there for him instead of feeling anxious myself?
@uvugd2015
I feel as though letting your partener you are there to lend an open ear to them and a shoulder to lean on could be very helpful to him. Maybe try to go out on an adventure with them and try to have fun so that it acts as a distraction of what is going on for both of you. Go out to dinner, to the movies or just out for a walk that could help having a change of where you are interacting with eachother.
