Quote:
Originally Posted by StartingFreshNow
The best thing for me to hear was just "I'm sorry you're going through that. I don't know what it's like, but I'm here for you and if there's something I can do to help, please tell me."
Since you don't know what it's like, trying to pretend you do, or trying to minimize the symptoms will come across the wrong way. However, being honest and open and willing to just sit and listen IS helpful. It might be hard to have to just "sit back and watch" him go through phases, but really, there's nothing you can actually do to get him through a depression.
If he wants your company, or maybe wants something like touch or peace and quiet or a movie or balloons or something like that - let him tell you what would be helpful. I know if my husband brought me flowers on some days that would rock - on other days it would send me off the deep end because I would be completely unable to be happy about them and that would make me feel worse.
I know it's hard to watch, but just be willing to support when he asks for it and he'll be thankful in the end.
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StartingFreshNow, unless I have been completely inattentive and truly insensitive somehow, you are saying let the depressed person prescribe what they need from others in order to end an episode of depression. That is convenient and thoughtful. Allow me this truth, when I am depressed it is my responses to life and living that have brought me to that place. Something (meds, etc.) or someone (therapist or loved one, etc.) has to stop that cycle that I've reasoned myself into. I think my prescription would be equal to my depression, either too radical or not radical enough.