Depression: Can It Affect Your Relationships?

Depression is a condition that affects not only those with it, but also those closest to them. It can have a negative impact on your work, home life, and relationships. Living with depression can take a heavy toll on a marriage. Research shows that when one or both spouses experience depression, their marriage may also be depressed.

How Can Depression Affect Your Marriage?

Depression affects your health, home life, friendships, and marriage. Charlie Health shares a study showing that mental health disorders, like depression, “are associated with a higher likelihood of divorce – anywhere from 20%-80% increased likelihood”. It can be difficult to cope with depression and it can be difficult to watch someone you love experience depression.

It’s more than just a case of the blues: depression is a serious health condition. When one spouse is experiencing depression, they may begin to see everything in the relationship through a darkened lens, limiting their perspective. Most events can be interpreted negatively, and if depression begins to limit social contact you both may begin to feel isolated. On top of this, there can be feelings of sadness, hopelessness, irritation, anger, or despair.

Depression has a way of creeping into both partner’s outlook, moods, behaviors, and reactions. Without really understanding what depression is, there can be a great deal of blame. Depression may also become a source of embarrassment for you both. The biggest threat for couples managing depression is when they conclude that this negativity means love is no longer present in the relationship. This is rarely the case.

What is Depression?

Depression is a condition that involves a person’s body, mood, and thoughts. It is not a choice or a sign of personal weakness. It is, therefore, of utmost importance for you both to have a good understanding of what depression is, what to expect, and what treatment options are best. A combination of therapy and medication management are often the best treatment options, however, everyone is different. It is important to find what is best for you.

The good news is that depression is highly treatable, but like any treatment process, it takes time and effort. It can be helpful to go to counseling together so that you can understand more about depression, its impact on your relationship and how you can move forward together.

Treating Depression and Improving Your Relationships

Depression is a serious condition that can impact even the healthiest of relationships. While depression is common it is not always well understood. The more you know, the sooner you can intervene and seek treatment.

If depression is impacting your relationship, you aren’t alone. Couples Counseling or Marriage therapy can be remarkably helpful in treating depression and moving forward together. With a skilled, licensed therapist you can learn more about depression as well as valuable skills to cope and be more effective in your relationship. If you are looking to treat depression and its impact on your relationships in Cameron, North Carolina, Call CCS today!

Jaime Johnson Fitzpatrick LCMHCS, LCAS is one of the Owners and Vice Presidents of Carolina Counseling Services. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist in the State of North Carolina as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in State of New York. Jaime is also certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and utilizes various other approaches in her practice.