Relapse: How can your husband prevent another "trip to the pit"?

Nobody wants to have a relapse of depression.

The awfulness of the first round of darkness will linger on your husband's mind for a long time. Nevertheless, many do find themselves back in the pit and for some it becomes a chronic condition of their life.

In this page we want to suggest important changes that will go a long way toward closing the door on depression. You can help your husband avoid a relapse.

Be sure to follow the two links at the bottom of the page - they will lead you to more than 20 ways to help your husband.

One humorous definition of insanity goes: Insanity is doing the same things you have always done and expecting different results. This sentiment is true with depression.

In order to banish depression there will have to be changes in your husband's life.

Change is not easy to accomplish even with minor patterns of behaviour. But we believe that with your support your husband has a great chance of success.

Beware: if you have had one depressive episode you have a greater chance of having another.

Three Priorities: Education, Observation, Self Preservation

Warding off another attack of depression requires that your husband must start to educate himself. He must begin to understand the underlying causes of his depression. Was it overwork, side effects from a prescription medication, a hormone imbalance, or a series of life blows in quick succession?

This is the first step is making sure that he does not go down that path again.

I understand that my fall was the direct result of the way I thought about my work and ministry for over 20 years. I always tackled projects that were urgent and deluded myself by thinking that it was okay to let it consume my thinking. This is how I had viewed all the work that Karen and I had been involved in since our marriage. I learned that I had no boundaries between work and the rest of life. As I correct that thinking, I can correct my over commitment and balance my life out at a threshold that is safe for me.

Observation

Secondly, your man needs to know the warning signs of overload. You may know them better than him at first and must be proactive in pointing out the signals as they appear.

Self Preservation

Third, he must have a ready list of coping mechanisms that he can access at a moment's notice. "Places to go, things to do, people to see." all of which are proven to bring him back to balance.

A dozen strategies to avoid a relapse.

Relapse Prevention through Better Sleep