Depression impacts everyone differently and can manifest in relatively unnoticeable or dramatically apparent ways. It can be challenging to identify depression in oneself without extensive self-reflection, but it can be more so for the partner of one experiencing depression. In the worst-case scenario, depression can lead to desperation ending in suicide. September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day, and one way to participate in this moment of awareness is to learn how you can recognize the signs of depression in your partner before it’s too late.

Quiet Signs of Depression

Most people experiencing depression won’t offer much by way of words or obvious indicators that they’re struggling. In fact, they may not comprehend what’s happening themselves without daily self-reflection and introspection. However, there are a handful of common signs of depression.

Mood swings

While hormones often get a bad rap for mood swings, these changes in mood can also be a sign of depression. Typically, it’s a sudden and significant shift from fine to angry, or excessive irritability.

Apathy

Things that once proved satisfying or exciting may no longer pique your partner’s interest. If it becomes a regular occurrence, it may be a sign that something is not quite right.

Constant fatigue

Tiredness can be a sign of a number of ailments, including depression. If your loved one no longer shows interest in things that normally capture their attention, and they seem to always want to sleep, it may be a sign of depression.

Sleeplessness

They may be tired, but they may not be able to sleep. This can be a sign they are battling depression. Or perhaps they sleep at times they should not, and then cannot sleep when they should. Sleep patterns are an indicator of overall health.

Distraction

Someone who cannot focus for long periods of time or who cannot make decisions may be more than distracted; they may be depressed.

While the signs are there, how exactly do you recognize these signs? It can be easy to dismiss warning signs as normal indicators of certain seasons in life, or the busyness of daily responsibilities.

Here are 5 tools to help you recognize, not just identify, the signs of depression in your partner

Grow more self-aware

It’s important for you as a partner in a relationship to develop your own healthy habits of introspection and self-awareness. This way, you can determine whether you’re projecting feelings or behavior patterns onto your partner that are imagined or extrapolated from your own experience.

Talk about it

If you’ve ever experienced depression, or if you’ve learned something new about it (perhaps in this post, even), talk about it! One reason why we fail to recognize the signs of depression is that we have been unwilling, unable, or afraid to talk about it.

Be curious

Ask your partner how they’re doing, and don’t settle for pat answers. Dig deeper! One tool to help you do this is to practice active listening and ask how certain things make them feel.

Share

Don’t expect your partner to be open about depression if you aren’t. It’s fair to say that almost everyone will experience varying degrees of depression at different times in life. Be open with your partner about the times you feel depressed and what you do to keep it from spiraling.

Do life together

The best way to recognize the signs of depression that may be right in front of you is to do life together. Don’t just do the fun things, do the hard things, the boring things, the little things, and the necessary things together. You learn more about your partner by simply living life, taking walks, and chatting than you will through any special getaway or vacation.

Bonus Tool: Counseling

Make counseling a routine part of your relationship. Online therapy or online couples therapy should not be a tool kept in reserve for the struggling; it should be a healthy maintenance tool for every partnership. It’s amazing what a trained, third party can do to help you navigate the nuances of a relationship.

Almost everyone will experience some degree of depression in life, whether it’s post-event depression or deep, clinical depression. Knowing the signs and actually recognizing them can be challenging, but identifying them and addressing them can literally save lives. Be kind, courageous, and proactive as you work to recognize the signs of depression in your partner and get them the help they need.

Begin Working with an Online Therapist in North Carolina

Recognizing the signs of depression is much easier said than done. But, our team of caring therapists would be happy to offer support in helping you and your partner overcome the symptoms of depression. We offer a variety of support from our Wake Forest, NC-based therapy practice. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:

1. Learn more about online therapy with My-Therapist.

2. Meet with one of our caring therapists.

3. Start getting trained support from the comfort of home!

Other Services Offered At My Therapist

We offer a variety of services from our Wake Forest, NC-based therapy practice. Our team is happy to offer online therapy, family therapy, individual therapy for relationship issues, couples workshops, and couples intensive therapy. We also provide foundations for lasting love, and AAMFT supervision. Feel free to read our blog to learn more about us or our many services.