If you're depressed, you may have issues communicating with your partner; it's important to be clear when you need help and support. Watch psychologist Jeffrey Gardere, PhD, discuss how to communicate if you have depression, or if your partner does.
If you are depressed you will have some issues communicating with your partner but the most important thing, you need to let them know is that you do need help, that you are feeling very badly and that you want them to be supportive. Try as much as possible even though you will be irritable which is part of your depression not to take it out on your partner and instead just let them know that you do need help.
And if you have a partner who happens to be depressed, the best thing that you can do is to support them through their treatment but most importantly let them know that you love them and that you'll be there for them. Quite often when we look at people who are depressed especially our loved ones, we tend to say why cant they just snap out of it? Whats wrong with them? We tend to get very frustrated so this is the time that you need to have patience and let them work through a lot of their issues with professional support but of course with your ear and your shoulder there for them at all times.
Jeff Gardere, PhD is an expert in the field of mental health. He has a private practice in Manhattan and is a frequent contributor to MSNBC, NBC Today Show, FOX Network, Lou Dobbs, CBS News, ABC News and WPIX News.
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