Is Your Partner Dealing
Are you caring for your partner with Depression?
Your every day can be very isolating and stressful especially if you do not know how to care for your wife, husband or partner experiencing Depression.
To help understand what your partner is going through, and to guide you with your mental well being, here’s what you need to know about Depression in adults.
What is Depression?
People who are depressed experience an extended period of sadness or a negative mood, rather than a brief reaction of sadness to a stressful or difficult situation. In a depressed state, the brain and body do not function as well as they do in a non-depressed state. People who suffer from Depression are likely to experience problems with day to day activities especially when they lose interest in school or work.
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions. In 2012, approximately 2.1 million people, almost 10% of the Australian population, were reported to be living with Depression. As of 2021, around 3.2% of children are diagnosed with Depression (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Teens or adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old had the highest rate of major depressive episodes followed by young adults aged 18 to 25. Around 11.3% of adults aged 25 to 50 experience mild to severe Depression, while only 4.5% of adults aged 50 and above experience this mental health condition (SingleCare, 2022).
Symptoms of Depression in your Partner
Depression can be categorised into three states depending on the number and severity of symptoms.
Mild Depression is temporary bouts of sadness and other symptoms such as anger and hopefulness that do not last for a long time.
Moderate Depression can be reoccurring instances of sadness and worthlessness that heightens your insecurities.
Severe Depression or Clinical Depression, also sometimes known as Major Depression or Major Depressive Disorder includes all symptoms in Mild and Moderate Depressions, together with delusions, hallucinations and thoughts of suicide. People suffering from Clinical Depression most often find it hard to concentrate and think rationally.
Symptoms of Mild Depression in Adults
- Sad or irritable mood
- Loss of interest in activities
- Unplanned weight loss
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Reduced energy
- Poor concentration
- Reckless behaviour
- Unexplained body aches
Symptoms of Moderate Depression in Adults include those in Mild Depression as well as the following:
- Insecurities or problems with self-esteem
- Poor work performance caused by reduced productivity
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Finding it hard to keep up in social functions
- Familial withdrawal and decrease in sexual interest
- Anxiety caused by excessive worrying
- Substance abuse (medical, drugs and alcohol)
Adults with Severe or Clinical Depression experience more than symptoms of Mild and Moderate Depression.
They also experience the following in a reoccurring manner:
- Impaired thinking or concentration
- Loss of hope, not just of plans for the future but of being successful in doing anything
- Talks of death or dying including threats unto self
- Inducing self-harm by being reckless or by directing harmful actions unto self
What causes Depression?
Many different factors can contribute to Depression. A stressful and challenging circumstance such as the loss of a loved one, failure in work, a midlife crisis, social pressures, changes in lifestyle and experiencing familial and financial problems can trigger Depression in adults. Women, in particular, are also most likely to experience Depression compared to men – including Postpartum Depression especially during stillbirth.
Other causes of Depression also include the following:
- Personality and genetic vulnerabilities
- Childhood experiences and trauma
- Biochemistry
- Chronic health conditions
- Medical side-effects
Diagnosis of Depression
Children with untreated Depression can bring this mental health condition through adolescence and then adulthood. Unlike other mental health conditions, diagnosing Depression does not involve laboratory tests that can give definite results.
Diagnosing Depression involves systematic interviews through a series of standard questionnaires alongside ruling out other behavioural and mental health conditions. This includes talking to the adult, their family, friends and workmates to assess their state (and severity of symptoms) on most days. For adults to be diagnosed with Depression, they must experience most of the symptoms on most days for at least 6 months. To address Depression, bring your wife, husband or partner to a GP or a Psychiatrist for early diagnosis and treatment.
Treatments for your Partner with Depression
People who are depressed show an imbalance in their biochemistry or a deficiency of neurotransmitters in their brain that contribute to feeling ‘happy’ emotions. This is why prescribed medication such as prescribed Anti-Depressants can be a useful method of treatment. Talking therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and personal and family counselling have been evidenced as the most successful treatment of Depression.
In most cases, adults can be in denial of their symptoms and tend to hide their feelings from their wives, husbands or partners especially if they are raising a family. If you suspect or see obvious signs of Depression with your partner, bring them to a GP for evaluation and to design a multidimensional treatment that will work best for them.
How to help your partner with Depression
It can be difficult for you to see your partner experience depression. You can even feel hopeless if you do not know how to ease their burden. The best way to help them or anyone experiencing mental health problems is to get them to see a GP or a Psychiatrist for professional help. You can also turn to a mental health phone line or browse online for mental health services in your area.
Aside from seeking professional help, you can also take care of your partner by physically being there for them when things get tough. You can also lessen the worries of your partner by being giving affirmations and reassurances that can calm down their thoughts and emotions.
How to help yourself
Seeing your partner having a hard time with their mental health condition can be an exhausting, frustrating, confusing and isolating experience. But you don’t have to go through it alone. HelpingMinds® offers free and confidential support to Carers or to people who are caring for someone living with mental health challenges. Our support includes free counselling, support groups, community programs as well as rest and revive activities for all ages.
Get Support from HelpingMinds®
Would you like to know more about free and confidential mental health carer services and how we can support you? Please feel free to contact HelpingMinds® via the form below or on (08) 9427 7100. For one of our team to get back to you, we will require your email address and/or phone number. Please know all information provided will be treated completely confidential and in line with our privacy policy.
