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How to tell your boyfriend or girlfriend you have depression?

Profile: booksoul21
booksoul21 on Mar 9, 2016
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There is no "right" way to tell them. There is no "good" time. You just need to be honest with how you feel, and you have to trust them to listen to you and help you through it. It's not as scary as you think. They're your best friend, right? They'll accept you no matter what.
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Profile: cuddlyCloud86
cuddlyCloud86 on Mar 2, 2016
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I think the best way to tell your boyfriend/ girlfriend that you are going through depression is to just tell them right away. Tell them how you feel properly. They will surely understand you.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Feb 14, 2017
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"I have depression" or "I am depressed." Communicating honestly and openly is really that easy. Before you tell them, consider what you'd like to get out of telling them that you're depressed: do you need their support as you get better, would you like them to be more understanding when you have bad days, would you like them to offer more unasked-for hugs, or be willing to accept your 3am phone calls? Try to think of specific ways they can help you. People who do not have depression can sometimes raelly struggle with understanding its affects on our day-to-day lives, and that is not their fault. If however your partner refuses to try to understand, or even becomes unsupportive, guess what? It's a great opportunity to find a real partner! Someone who really loves you will stay with you no matter what state your mind is in (unless you ask them to leave you alone). Someone who really loves you will love you despite your depression and will be by your side to help you in any way you can think of. Good luck! Remember to be your own best-friend because you deserve it.
Profile: CaringJoy
CaringJoy on Feb 17, 2016
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You can say "I've been feeling sad and emotionally depleted. I no longer have a desire to do the things I used to enjoy and I think I have depression. Can I count on you to be supportive while I try to recover"..
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Mar 2, 2016
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If you want to, and if you think that they will support you, just take a deep breath a tell them. Just do what you are comfortable with
Profile: RainbowTrie
RainbowTrie on Feb 13, 2016
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It's a leap of faith. If they understand anything about depression then they'll get that it's just an illness that you can't control. Just like a broken arm. If they don't understand that- maybe you can educate them. You need to believe that It's nothing to be ashamed of. If you are seeking treatment your boyfriend or girlfriend should be supportive and proud of you for telling them. Loving relationships are about support and sharing the burden of life.
Profile: dogswinenetflix
dogswinenetflix on Apr 7, 2016
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If it's a new relationship, it might be hard or scary and feel like they might leave you if you tell them. Speaking from experience, I have felt that reluctance to share but in the end I felt a lot better about telling my significant other because I was able to say "hey, feeling really anxious today. if I snap at you." it made communication between us easier and more satisfying because I was able to say that it wasn't anyone's fault, how I was feeling-- it just was. I would probably start it the conversation assuring them they are an important part of your life and that them knowing this about you is important and they are a source of comfort (not happiness!) for you.
Profile: Yourfairygodbro
Yourfairygodbro on Feb 13, 2016
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You should know first that they care about you. You should tell them by asking them what they know about depression and topics related to that and then get the conversation topic toward you having depression. Hopefully, they're understanding and stay with you even after they know.
Profile: SilentSerenityy
SilentSerenityy on Feb 13, 2016
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I would recommend this only when you feel 100% comfortable and you've been in the relationship some time and you trust them. Also, only say it if you feel it's negatively affecting the relationship or they're questioning some of your behaviours. You could sit them down, explain that you will find this difficult to tell them and you hope they will view you and it with an open mind and then tell them.
Profile: FrenchToast
FrenchToast on Feb 18, 2016
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Sit down with them and take a deep breath, make sure there are no interruptions, and quietly talk to them, be sure to be very calm, and tell them everything very honestly. What you feel, what you go though, tell them, and they're to understand and not judge you. You will be okay.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Feb 17, 2016
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You just say it don't make it seem weird just come out with it what's the worst that could happen if you do ,think about it or do what you want to do.
Profile: sensitiveWalker3386
sensitiveWalker3386 on Mar 16, 2016
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It is easy to tell your gf/bf that you have depression if you both have enough trust on each other,If you think they can handle you in every situation then it would be much easier to tell them the truth.Do not think too much for telling them about your depression because it is sane to open the truth earlier than they get to know about this from someone else.Ask them that you really want to talk to them on something serious and then try to keep calm before telling them everything. Hope , this would work nice.
Profile: darlingyouregorgeous
darlingyouregorgeous on Feb 13, 2016
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Telling a loved one about a mental illness is never easy, but there are a few things you can do to make this stressful situation go as smoothly as possible for the both of you. First, it's best to make sure that you and your partner are alone, so you don't have outside opinions or influences. Second, I would try to tell them as gently as possible rather than just come out and say it. Thirdly, try to tell them that it isn't there fault. Mental illnesses are never anyone's fault, but your partner might feel guilty and like he or she somehow caused your illness or that the should have been able to fix it. Try to reassure them that it's not their fault as well as you can. I hope all goes well when you decide to tell your significant other!
Profile: casicanhelp
casicanhelp on Apr 8, 2016
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Already as a boyfriend/girlfriend they would care about you a lot, so tell them as if you were telling your parents. Slowly ease onto the topic.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Mar 5, 2016
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Sit them down and try your best to explain how it feels to be you right now. Be sure to explain that they are not the reason that you are feeling this way, and that you cannot help it or change the way you feel. You will feel better about it afterwards!
Profile: CrunchyLeaves31
CrunchyLeaves31 on May 2, 2017
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Honesty is important in any relationship. Being open about your struggles may help you overcome them. It can be hard to start the conversation, but you may feel very relieved just letting someone you love know that you are struggling.
Profile: wonderousHeart14
wonderousHeart14 on Feb 14, 2016
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"I am a bit hesitant to tell you this because I really like you and I fear that you will like me less...there have been some things in my life that i've had to deal with and I had spoken to my doctor about it. I was diagnosed with depression." If they are unfamiliar with it, educate them. If they care enough about you they will want to be educated about it. You can work together. If it scares them off, it does not necessarily mean they do not care about you, it could mean a few things..maybe someone close to them had severe depression and you telling them may have re-opened a scab, or maybe they have just heard stories about it and they are afraid and do not know how to handle the situation (lack of education on depression).
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Feb 20, 2016
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Be honest with them, is all I can say. Knowing that you have someone who supports you and is there for you is the greatest feeling. The one thing that is dependent is how they react towards it. If he or she can't help you and aren't there for you then you should start looking for a person who does care. Write to them little by little. Show them who you really are and how you are feeling the majority of the time :)
Profile: unfin
unfin on Feb 13, 2016
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You are the true one to be able to answer that. I'm afraid that I cannot give proper advice to you, so you need to take an approach that's comfortable to you.
Profile: reeyseelbeel05
reeyseelbeel05 on Feb 14, 2016
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You don't have to speak just for them to notice that you are depressed. If that person knows you so much they could probably notice it. And if they are going to ask you, just be honest to them. If you love your partner very much and you trust him enough, you could probably share to them what is inside your mind. Don't be afraid because if your partner loves you enough. He/She could accept and help you.
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