Dealing with your partners depression

For a while now my other half has been struggling, I've seen her stumble through the problems she had with jobs, with communicating and with everything and I've faithfully stood by her side. And most recently I've held her tight while she has sobbed and sobbed telling me she is sad and can't find happiness.

Depression hits everyone at some time in their lives. I believe that at least once in our lives everyone hits that limit on the edge of depression where they either sink or swim. And from personal experience watching someone sink and knowing that what you do isn't helping is a pain unlike anything else.

There are moments when I feel like I am seeing the life and soul sucked out of the person I love. It's a heart break in itself to watch. But what else I can do. I can't blame her for this or tell her to cheer up and I can't pressure her into doing things to make her feel better. Because in the end, the pressure and me expecting everything to just be ok and to get better is only going to make her worse.

Depression is a downward spiral and watching someone on it is like saying goodbye to half of my heart. At the end of the day I love my other half and nothing will keep me away from being here, just telling her I love her each and every day and hoping that tomorrow will be a better day. Maybe will will go somewhere or do something new, I will catch her smile. I will see her laugh again with her eyes alight and just for that moment, the struggle, the fight and the tears will be forgotten.

And on those cold dark nights when everything seems to be going wrong and her depression weighs her down. I will be there with my arms open wide ready to just hold her in silence and let her feel safe. Sometimes, trying to make someone feel happy isn't the cure, but holding them and supporting them in their darkest moments are all I can do. Being strong, not crying and keeping a my brave face in place are all for her, because I believe this is not something that lasts. It's just another bump in the roller coaster. Yes, it may get low again one day but believing things will slowly get better, well that's all I have for now.