Tips for Spouses/Partners

• Maintain your own friendships and outside social interests.  Isolating yourself will only put more stress on your relationship.
• Recognize that you may have a variety of intense feelings about your partner having this disorder. All of these feelings are normal and OK. However, you must express them appropriately and in a way that does not hurt your partner or damage your relationship. (See “Illuminating the Heart” in the Resources section for guidelines on communicating effectively.)
• Be open to looking at ways you may have well-meaningly helped your spouse avoid certain social situations. As one example, do you always answer the phone? Gradually encourage him or her to assume more responsibility in these areas.
• Remember that you cannot solve your spouse’s problems. 
• Let your spouse know your needs, too. In other words, you shouldn’t always need to be the caretaker.
• Know that many commonly prescribed medications for anxiety and depression can cause sexual dysfunctions. Keep the lines of communication open, and encourage your spouse to talk with his or her doctor if this is an issue.