The feeling of finding “the one” is not just about chemistry, but trust, shared morals and values, and safety. And, finding and building this type of relationship is not as easy as it may seem on Instagram. This takes a lot of self reflection and self discovery, communication, and most importantly, patience.
You may find that finding a partner who doesn’t have “baggage” is impossible. Everyone has baggage. It is all about working through it, and best supporting your partner or any loved one that may be struggling.
Empathy plays a huge role in supporting your loved ones with depression, and this does not come easy. It takes a lot of patience and open communication. Your loved one may feel sad, hopeless, and an overall disconnection to life. They may not have any interest in spending time with you like they usually do. Just know, this isn’t about you, and they just need your unconditional love and support.
This may be difficult for your loved one, but is important to encourage open communication. This way, your loved one can feel safe expressing how they feel without the fear of being judged. They are the only ones that know how they are feeling or what they may need, so open communication allows them to express this. Open communication can also help deepen a relationship’s emotional connection, and allows each individual to understand what the other person needs. This helps to avoid misunderstandings or added stress to the relationship down the line.
It is very normal to feel stuck, and not know how to navigate this. Firstly, let your partner know you support and love them unconditionally. Just being a safe place to vent to or a shoulder to lean on may be what they need. It doesn’t have to be complex.
This may not always be easy. It is important to evaluate your own emotional capacity as well. If you begin to feel frustrated, step back and look into some self care. You can not be there to support your loved ones if you’re not also pouring into your own cup. This may also look like giving yourself some grace and understanding during this time: this process may feel isolating and upsetting, and it is important to understand that all relationships have their ups and downs.
It may also be helpful to do some research on your loved ones’ symptoms so that you can be as informed about their mental health as possible. This way, you can educate yourself on how to best approach the situation and navigate any behaviors you’re observing in your partner. And, putting yourself in your loved ones’ shoes may help you to better understand their personal “normal” ups and downs.
Another way to support your loved one with depression can be to suggest professional help. You can even offer to attend sessions with them! A therapist can help the individual struggling to look into life stressors and potential triggers, and help them navigate how to cope when these feelings come up.
It is also important to realize that your partner or loved one just may not know what they need. To provide this safe space for them, and show them that you care, you can just tell them you are here to provide whatever would feel most supportive moment to moment. They don’t have to know the answer right now, and maybe they just want to sit in their dark bedroom alone. Give them that space. That reassurance can be very comforting to hear.
Sometimes, it just may be helpful to be that safe space for your loved one. Just allowing them to sit in silence with you, cuddling, or scrolling on your phones together may be exactly what they need! Ask questions. Ask how you can best support them, and celebrate their small wins. Getting out of bed and making coffee may just be the small win for the day, and that is more than enough. Giving your loved one that unconditional love and showing them that they are seen is so helpful.
Overall, just the presence of your love and support will show your loved one they are not alone. This can make your relationships stronger, and deepen your connection. A great partnership is one where you see all the good and the bad of each other, but still know how to communicate and express your love. In these difficult times, just showing up for your partner is enough.
THERAPY SERVICES FOR DEPRESSION WE OFFER IN MANHATTAN & BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
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OTHER THERAPY SERVICES OFFERED IN MANHATTAN, BROOKLYN, & THROUGHOUT NEW YORK
Our therapists recognize that discovering your “enough” is a journey. And it can become even more complex when the inner critic interferes, giving rise to additional challenges. We provide a range of services to ensure you receive the essential support, care, and guidance to achieve your goals. Our offerings include specialized support for women, anxiety treatment, and dating therapy. Along with services for college students, maternal mental health, body image therapy, and much more. If you feel dissatisfied with your current life and are seeking meaningful changes, let’s have a conversation about it.
