Living in an era where people can recognise their mental health struggles better and faster, instead of hiding them or not being aware of them (which was the case some decades ago), has brought us to a new reality in our relationships: we are often faced with the challenge of supporting a partner who struggles with their mental health.
I say it’s a challenge because:
It’s sad, confusing and frustrating to want to take care of your partner but not know how, and I hope that with this article, I can give you some ideas or a good starting point.
One of the most common mental disorders but also one of the most difficult to recognise and tackle in our partners is High-Functioning Depression.
High-functioning Depression or Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD; formerly called dysthymia) is a form of depression that typically lasts for at least two years. On the outside, people suffering from PDD don’t display many signs of a mood disorder. For the most part, they can work, maintain their household, manage interpersonal relationships, handle parental responsibilities, and to some extent, they seem to enjoy their lives.
But, with PDD, external appearances are deceiving. On the inside, individuals dealing with chronic, low-level depression feel empty and unmotivated. They manage to put on a good show, but they feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually drained by their unsatisfying and inauthentic existence. The depression they experience is as real as the depression of a person diagnosed with major depression. Still, their symptoms manifest in a muted form, sometimes detected only by people very close to them (e.g. their partners).
The primary symptom of PDD is a low mood for most days for over two years for adults and one year for children and adolescents. Other symptoms of dysthymia may include:
So, how can you support someone with PDD?
The more you know about depression, the more equipped you’ll be at responding to the potential changes in how your partner feels, thinks, and acts. If, for example, you know that procrastination is one of the symptoms of PDD, you will be less likely to judge your partner and label them as “lazy”, and more likely to be understanding and compassionate with them.
Being a compassionate and understanding listener is one of the most helpful ways you can support your partner. But other than listening to what is being shared, you can also openly ask your partner what they need or may find helpful. Each of us may need something different when we’re feeling down. Hence, open communication is crucial.
It’s important not to assume what your partner needs or doesn’t need. Try to avoid patronising them or overprotecting them; that will add to their already negative self-talk and helplessness. Instead, ask them directly. Also, understand all answers you may get.
For example, you can ask:
Finding motivation is hard when struggling with high-functioning depression. Try to leverage any momentum your partner has and join them. Through a collaborative discussion, you can propose and arrange indoor or outdoor activities with them. Based on what you know they usually like or find meaningful, you can plan an activity together. Remember, you are a team and together you are working in order to get through this challenge.
Depression can affect someone’s ability to participate in everyday activities. Someone experiencing depressive symptoms may intend to go out with you on Saturday night, but when the time comes, their mood has shifted. This mood shift reduces the motivation to even get out of bed sometimes. It’s not because they’re not trying hard enough!
Don’t blame or shame them for breaking plans; stay flexible and consider alternative activities within their comfort zone instead. Instead of going out for dinner, maybe you can spark their interest by suggesting cooking homemade food together. Instead of going to a party, stay in, drink some wine, and talk in a cosier atmosphere. Sometimes they may simply need some alone time; try to be respectful of their needs, remembering not to take it personally.
We live in a reality of constant problem-solving. When an issue pops up, we feel very distressed by its occurrence. Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes for depression. Instead of pushing towards a “magical” resolution of the negative emotion, you can accept your partner’s feelings and confusion; ask them what their triggers are, what they do to cope, and what part they want you to play in their coping strategies.
See them as a human being going through a hard time in life, and not as a project that you need to manage or complete. Life is our journey through these struggles and not the absence of them.
I'm not saying it only to be nice to you; I mean it. You need support as well. Try to not overestimate your energy and your mental and emotional resources. You may feel stronger than your partner, but you are not invincible. It is possible that you may get burned out for trying too hard for too long, and there is a term for that: it’s called compassion fatigue.
So, make sure you engage in some self-care if you want to keep supporting your partner fully. Don’t forget the safety instructions we hear in the aeroplane: “Put on your own mask before helping those around you." Makes sense, right?
Important: following the steps mentioned above is helpful but remember that you don’t need to go through this all by yourself. You are not your partner’s therapist, so encourage them to seek professional support. If they feel sceptical about this option, discuss their fears and concerns with them, but also the importance of stepping out of this negative cycle eventually. When they are in therapy, try to be supportive mentally and emotionally through this journey, as well.
Supporting your partner through depression can be hard, but it can also be an experience that deepens your relationship and helps you feel even more connected with each other at the end of the day.