Please help me write a thread about helping a partner deal with anxiety/depression during recovery

[YoniJaquen]

I've recently been discharged from hospital (have another thread going about that, the what will happen to DS if I can't cope one). Am doing much, much better but still struggle daily with thoughts and anxiety.

Looked on the internet for material but it's all a bit 'clinical' and I knew the collective of MN would probably have much better advice to give on the subject. I'd like to show DP this thread to help. His heart's in the right place and he's supported me through the worst of it but I think lack of understanding is making us both frustrated and it's starting to affect the recovery.

Would appreciate tips/advice that works both ways as I've never been ill whilst in a LT relationship so am new to it too.

TIA!

(for example, I find it hard to explain that generalized anxiety/depression makes your thinking go all skewed and there can be a whole day where I'm silently trying to fight it off. I am trying to get better but I can't always help the thoughts/fear I have, especially if i'm in a state/having a panic attack).

Have done.

(posted here as the traffic on the MH board is pretty slow).

Does your DP accompany you to any appointments? Has he had much contact with the health professionals responsible for your treatment? My thoughts are that if 'understanding' is the problem, the solution is going to include expert information and support rather than it all being solely your responsibility to communicate.

How to Master Anxiety by Joe Griffin and Ivan Tyrell is imo a good book about understanding anxiety, how it affects us and ways of dealing with it. My GP recommended it as I have a looooong history of anxiety (GAD). It was helpful along with CBT sessions.

Thanks.

He hasn't done yet as I only recently got ill and it was a bit of a blur as it happened so fast this time around but he's coming to my next meds review on the advice of the psych' who said he gets lots of partners coming along for a chat and to see how the process worls and to be involved in the recovery etc.