All About Husband's Depression
Contrary to popular belief, it's not just women who are prone to depression. Representatives of the stronger sex are by no means immune from her. Moreover, their depressive disorder can often be severe and protracted. How to understand that your husband is depressed, to recognize what could lead to it, and to help him cope with this condition, we will talk in this article.
Possible reasons
Life constantly tests us for strength. Anyone can at times mentally weaken and fall into a dejected, depressed mood. Men here, alas, are no exception.
There are the most common reasons why a husband may develop a depressive disorder.
- Financial problems seriously hurt a man's self-esteem. This factor is especially oppressive if the wife constantly reproaches it and arranges scandals humiliating for the spouse.
- Depression can overtake a man because of work. A lot of troubles and problems happen in this area: demotion, bad relations with superiors or colleagues, failures in professional activity, lack of fulfillment, and so on.
- After the birth of a child, some young fathers become apathetic and depressed. Men are not always ready for the appearance of a new family member in their life, especially if the spouse's pregnancy was unplanned.
- Both men and women are prone to age-related crises. These are not easy, although not long periods, when values are often reassessed, a new awareness of oneself. If the crisis coincided with a bad moment in life, experiences and introspection often lead a person to a depressive state.
- Serious shocks, such as illness, death of a loved one, also put pressure on the psyche.
- Personal characteristics play a big role in dealing with stress and negative emotions, which each of us deals with almost every day. Men are not stone sculptures at all. Fortunately, they are able to feel and experience. But there is also a downside to being oversensitive and emotional. These personality traits make a person more prone to depression and nervous breakdowns.
- One of the major contributors to depression in men is an unfavorable, stressful environment in the home. Quarrels with his wife, misunderstandings on her part, tensions with relatives of many husbands pushed for alcoholism or leaving the family. Which, in turn, was often preceded by depression that developed against the background of family trouble.
Symptoms
Representatives of the stronger sex often do not want to admit that they have any problems. In the eyes of their wife and children, they want to look invulnerable and reliable. That's why in the initial stages, while it is still possible, men do their best to hide the symptoms of depression rolling on them from their families.
It is very important for loved ones to recognize the first alarm bells that signal emotional depression.
The most common behavioral changes and physiological symptoms in a spouse with a depressive disorder are:
- irritability, nervousness, unreasonable aggression, anxiety;
- lack of self-confidence, decreased self-esteem, isolation;
- apathy, decreased performance;
- headaches, surges in blood pressure, disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system;
- insomnia;
- change in appetite in one direction or another, noticeable loss or weight gain;
- problems related to the sexual sphere;
- lethargy, slurred speech, slow reactions;
- drinking alcohol more often than usual, sometimes for no reason at all.
Solution
Depression is a serious psychological ailment that often requires specialist treatment. In some cases, medication-assisted therapy is prescribed to get a person out of this condition.
However, you can help your husband get out of depression at home, if you know how to behave with him in this difficult period for him.
What should a wife do if her husband suffers from a depressive disorder?
- Maintain a calm, welcoming atmosphere in your home.
- Try to get your husband excited about a new hobby or activity.
- Provide your spouse with emotional support, pay attention to him, and talk to him about his problems and concerns.
- Try to find an opportunity and get the whole family out on vacation. A change of environment is very helpful with depression and similar depressed states of the psyche.
- If you feel that your husband's depression has been going on for a long time and is getting worse, persuade him to see a therapist. In such situations, it is difficult for a man to make such a decision on his own.
Prophylaxis
We all know the saying “it is better to prevent disease than to cure”. Depression is essentially a mental illness. So the same rule works with her.
- Include more vegetables and fruits in the family's diet. Fit and good health have a positive and strengthening effect on the emotional background.
- Exercise or take outdoor walks together. Physical activity energizes and positive, reduces stress.
- Maintain a relationship of trust with your husband. Take time to talk and support each other.
- Try to avoid quarrels and scandals. Any problem can be solved in a calm manner. Shouts and aggression only heat up the situation and cause anger on both sides, contribute to the accumulation of negative emotions, which, in turn, often triggers the development of mental disorders.