Hi
@richard 1998 . I'm sorry about your depression, and I understand your fear. There is no theory on whether dating while depressed is a good or a bad idea. However, there are a few points to think about.
Where in your depression are you? Are you getting treatment, are you improving? If you do feel vulnerable right now, and a rejection would be a terrible endeavour for you, perhaps it is indeed not the best idea for you. In that case, sometimes even being friends with someone we have other feelings for is difficult and can make you miserable. Another thing to consider is how is your relationship with yourself. How is your self-esteem? Do you feel you have the strength right now to take care of a relationship?
So if you feel confident enough, that you do understand the potential risks that everyone faces in such a situation, then getting yourself out there can be for the better. You need to remember that
if she does reject you, nothing will have changed in your current situation. It can either turn into something positive, or not change anything. Everyone goes through disappointments when looking for love, and the fact that you are trying is a
success. It hurts to be rejected, of course, but it is not a failure anyway, it is part of your journey until finding the right person for you. The reality is that
you have to try to find them.
Now if she doesn't reject you, taking care of a relationship is hard. You will have to make some efforts, and to understand that sometimes things don't work out. Perhaps you will make some mistakes, and that should make you grow and learn for the next time rather than tear you down. It happens to everyone. She can also make mistakes, and that will
not be
your fault.
Good communication is the most important part of a relationship. In the end, if you both communicate well, nothing can stop you.
Finally, how can you prevent your depression to be a problem in your relationship? There is a fine line between sharing about your pain with your partner and get support, and including the depression as a "part" of your relationship and let the negativity stain both of you, as well as the relationship itself. I also find that a lot of people expect their partner to be the solution to their depression. Sometimes it can be, but that is only if you are in the right mindset and that you accept what I wrote here, because
your partner is not there to fix your mental health issues, that is not their job.
I could say a lot more, but you only asked one question. :P I hope this doesn't discourage you, I'd rather be preventive than careless. No one is perfect, and perhaps you do struggle with one of these points. If so, write to us about us, talk to your therapist about it, and hopefully you will be in a good place to start dating. The answer entirely depends on you. How do
you feel about dating right now, or soon?
