Occasional Sadness

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Every marriage has its ups and downs, but when one partner seems "down" most of the time, it is important to take this matter seriously. Depression can strike anyone at any time, and it is important to know the signs of clinical depression and how they compare to typical bouts of sadness that everyone has on occasion. Depression in one partner can take a huge toll on a relationship when it is untreated. Follow these tips for determining if your spouse has clinical depression and how to help them love life again. 1. Know the Difference Between Depression and Occasional Sadness It is normal for a person to experience sadness after a death in the family, being let-go from a job they loved, or even after a favorite sports team didn't win that …show more content…

Some people hide the signs the best they can and continue with daily activities. Others spend days in bed or cry regularly for no apparent reason when depressed. This is where you come in handy as a spouse, because even when your partner is able to hide depression from everyone else in their life, you live with them and notice signs that others do not. 2. Remember You Are Not the Cause When one partner develops depression, it is not uncommon for a spouse to feel like they caused it by not being a "good enough" spouse. You may looking back at past arguments and trying to figure out what you may have said to trigger your partner's depressive episode. You may begin taking on more household tasks and doing nice things for your spouse every day and become disappointed when your partner's depression continues despite your best efforts at trying to fill their life with happiness. Remember that your partner's depression is not your fault and that even though they appreciate your nice gestures, they have a serious mental illness that no kind gesture can "shake them out" of it. Continue being a supportive spouse, but it is extremely important for the sake of your entire relationship to remember that you did not cause your partner's depression and you also cannot cure

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