How to Help a Depressed Man and Keep Your Relationship Strong

By Ayman de Meijer

Are you feeling helpless and totally overwhelmed with your life? Is getting out of bed in the morning impossible to do some days? The impact of depression can be life altering in the worse way, I know this from personal experience. Self help for depression and anxiety is available and it is very vital to your success at beating this condition. There are great books on depression, it's really about deciding what you need.

Depression is a normal part of life. Yet, if it goes unresolved, it can have a disastrous affect on personal functioning, relationships and careers. It can result in temporary personality changes, uncharacteristic bouts of anger and moodiness, create communication problems, spur conflict, and lead to relationship problems or marital distress. Thus, depression is a condition that must be recognized and treated for men to function on their highest level.What Are The Signs? Men who are depressed may suddenly become irritable and quick to anger. Non-aggressive men may become more aggressive and hostile.Some may abuse alcohol or drugs, or turn to food for comfort, although some may eat less. It really depends on the person and his circumstances.Some men may over-exercise, while others may stop.

One man may throw himself into a favorite hobby whereas a workaholic may become more dependent upon work ...while ignoring his relationships.Men may show typical signs of depression, too, such as, feelings of fatigue and burn-out, sleep disturbances and decreased libido. Thought patterns may change; men may think more negatively and perceive the world in darker, more threatening ways. This can be a subtle change. Depressed men may start feeling anxious and worried, and respond poorly to daily problems or stress at work or home, either over reacting or under-reacting.Men may not discuss the way they are feeling with anyone, and may not recognize the changes themselves. As a result of societal conditioning, they tend not to talk about their stress with their friends, unlike women, who tend to get support from other women.And the impact their depression can have on their family life and primary relationships is often nothing short of devastating.

Symptoms of Depression.There are different signs and symptoms, and they may vary from one person to another. They include: Sadness,Frustration over trivial matters,Lack of interest in normal activities,Excessive sleeping or loss of sleep,A reduced sex drive,Drastic appetite change,Indecisiveness,Fatigue,Crying spells,Unexplained physical problems,Distractibility,Guilt,Thoughts of death.How Can Intuitive Counselling Help? Depression symptoms, unlike other diseases, do not get better over time. Your symptoms may worsen if left untreated. It may be difficult to seek treatment, but there are effective options that can help, like intuitive counselling.An intuitive counsellor will help you come to terms with your problems and understand yourself more. He or she will do this by helping you "listen" to your body, mind, emotion, and spirit. Working with these aspects will allow you to understand what is happening, what is causing the problem, and how to get rid of it.Working with a skilled intuitive counselling practitioner will help you alleviate depression symptoms and gradually bring your energy and positive outlook back.

It's a fact: Depression symptoms will often improve with exercise.Getting started and staying motivated is the key.Of course when you are suffering from depression or anxiety, probably the last thing on your mind is exercise. But consider this: once you decide to make a start and get motivated to help yourself, exercise has the potential to make a huge difference in your life.Recent research has been carried out which has revealed that not only will depression and anxiety symptoms improve, but there will be a positive affect in other areas such as: potential lowering of high blood pressure, assisting in the control of sugar levels for people with diabetes, and improving chronic arthritis symptoms.

Keeping up a regular routine of exercise is very important as it can definitely help a person to relax and feel better for long periods of time. If exercise is practiced on a regular basis the results will likely be significant. Walking at least 3 times a week for an hour is recommended. If that seems too much, then start with just a 10 minute walk, 3 times a week, and build up from there. As you start feeling fitter and start to enjoy the experience even more, you may find yourself wanting to walk for pleasure everyday.

Always feeling guilty, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. Women with depression could not shake off such thoughts from their minds.Constantly criticizing herself. They always think that what they do is not enough, or that they don't do anything right.Having changes in appetite or weight. A woman with depression will either increase food consumption or will lose her appetite. She may also have significant changes in weight, at least 5% every month.

Counseling is one of the best ways to face and deal with depression. It can be just as effective as medication, if not more so. The combination of the two can be even more effective.Sometimes depression can become quite serious and lead to other mental health issues. It is best to take it seriously.Depression and Your Relationship.Without a doubt, the depression of one spouse can injure the other. And it can have a derogatory impact upon the relationship in general, giving both partners a sense of despair, and causing them to view the relationship in pessimistic terms.

Also, long-term depression can keep a relationship down. It is difficult for the non-depressed spouse to keep a positive attitude when he/she has to deal with an unhappy, sad or anxious spouse who has been depressed for a long time. Frequently, the spouse of the depressed person will blame himself/herself or interpret the depressed spouse's actions as a rejection.

Never isolate yourself. Isolation will not help your depression. You need to be in contact with people you trust while you are going through treatment. This will greatly enhance your chances to overcome depression.Other aspects that are vital to remember include the following:You need a balanced diet. There is a very definitive connection between depression and eating habits. The healthier you eat the cleaner your body will be and the better you will feel. This is a decision you will have to make. It takes discipline and rewards of this discipline will come back to you in multiples.If you are sleep deprived you will struggle to overcome depression symptoms. A good nights sleep goes a long way. Make sure you have a mattress that sleeps well. If you think about it, you spend a third of your life in bed (8 hours of sleep per 24 hour cycle).If you do not exercise, your body cannot produce endorphins. These endorphins help a lot to overcome depression. These 3 points mentioned here are also excellent self help for depression tips.There is a way out and you can be cured. Just make a decision that you will get out of this depression rut and it will be so.

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