5 Ways to Help Your Spouse Cope Through a Behavior Disorder

You’re out in public enjoying a lovely meal when suddenly your partner says or does something that they might not have a few years or even month ago.

This is bound to leave you flustered and you might think your spouse might be doing this out of spite or may not love you anymore but chances are that they have a behavioral disorder.

Behavioral disorders or disruptive behavior disorders are most common among adolescents but are also prevalent among adults that if left untreated could be dangerous.

Behavioral disorders consist of a number of mental health diseases like anxiety disorder, depression, ADHD, Schizophrenia etc.

The biggest challenge you may face would be trying to identify the repetitive behavioral patterns to see what they are suffering from.

This helps you not only understand what to say and how to behave in front of someone suffering from a mental disorder but also lets you help your spouse cope better.

Here are five ways to help your spouse cope with a behavior disorder:

1. Get tested

It is harder to decide what methods to use and how to help a partner going through mental health issues when you don’t really know which disease they might be suffering from.

This is not only frustrating for you but your spouse as well. The best option is to get help from a therapist to help diagnose the problem effectively and get to the root cause instead of waiting for the apparent symptoms to blow over.

Chances are that you’re doing more harm than good by delaying an early diagnosis.

2. Do adequate research

If your partner suffers from behavioral disorders, such as anxiety or depression, it is important for you to educate yourself on it first.

Get a thorough understanding of the symptoms and what causes your spouse to act a certain way as well as what moments or circumstances trigger those moods more.

The trigger part may vary from person to person and since a spouse is closer than anyone else, it shouldn’t be too hard for you to talk to your partner and be a little observant.

For people with depression, it is necessary to understand that they might have a number of good days but still may be struck with depression again. These on and off occurrences sometimes are hard to understand by loved ones.

3. Empathize with your partner

While it is very hard and also quite draining to live with a partner who does not feel the same anymore and is always distracted and absent, always remember that they are not trying to hurt you on purpose and this is not because of you.

Your spouse probably is at their lowest in life and though it might seem that they are trying to push you away, rather than hitting them up with constant never-ending advice try to just hear them out and sympathize.

Never invalidate their feelings or make them feel like it’s all in their head.

You never know, how much you might end up helping them by being a good listener.

Another good way to help your partner heal is to have them use the telemedicine platforms.

4. Focus more on good qualities

Dealing with someone who has mental health issues can also be quite draining for you and there is no harm in feeling like wanting a break for yourself.

When such a time comes, try to focus more on your partner’s good qualities and memories for a breath of fresh air.

5. Create a supportive home environment

Always be supportive of your spouse’s decisions as long as they do not seem dangerous or unhealthy. Encourage their artistic passions and their need to seek treatment.

Create a healthy living environment where you acknowledge their day to day efforts and make them feel good about themselves.

All it takes is a little bit of effort and a whole lot of love.

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