When it comes to a relationship, depression can become a serious issue. Sometimes, couples are not aware of the effects of the mental disorder that is why they most likely end up losing interest in each other. In severe cases, the condition damages almost every important thing that people hold on to, including their vows or commitments.
Even if you or your spouse try to accomplish hiding depression from time to time and other people notice nothing different, there will come a time when you or your partner will eventually break down. And when you happen to figure out that there is something wrong with both or either one of your psychological and emotional states, it’ll be too late to take safety measures.
For people who are depressed, this critical inner voice can have a powerful and destructive influence on their state of mind. — Lisa Firestone, Ph.D.
You As A Depressed Person
If you are the person experiencing depression, how does it affect you and your relationship? Well, essentially it is hard for you because you are in an intense level of emotional crisis. It causes you to feel sad and lonely even in little things. It affects your thoughts and changes the way you usually behave. It also makes you feel uncomfortable about yourself and hinders you to react to different kinds of situations positively. Your depression consumes your energy and leaves you with unwanted psychological and emotional illness. From there, your relationship gets affected because you mainly focus on things that do not indeed matter at all. You tend to create adverse scenarios in your head that add more pressure in all aspects of your relationship such as communication, physical connection, and emotional bond. You tend to shut down people from your life and avoid letting them in.
What resolves depression is grieving losses and traumas, changing brain chemistry, changing life circumstances, and time. — Cynthia W. Lubow, MS, MFT
You As The Partner Of A Depressed Person
If you are the person who is in a relationship with an individual that suffers from depression, you will most likely end up feeling depressed as well. Though you might consider yourself free from the mental illness, it affects you in a way that you feel your partner’s inconsistency in the relationship. Your partner’s condition makes you think that you’re doing something wrong and that stresses you out. The situation makes you lose the confidence to create a romantic connection because you get to feel unloved and unwanted every time he or she tries to push you away. Also, your partner’s mental condition tends to agitate you, and that causes you to snap out. Sometimes, it drives you to get to a point where you potentially see the end of the commitment.
Keep in mind, also, it is common for a depressed person to not want anyone (especially a loved one) to worry, so they will often put on a good front and minimize their true feelings. — Angela Avery, MA, LLPC, NCC
No one can expect their spouse or significant others to understand the situation of depression automatically. It is something that people tend to avoid but they could not. It causes too much damage to all aspects of people’s lives and hinders them from achieving overall development. So when couples fail to address the issue, it always ends negatively. It is safe to remember that depression requires an immediate assessment and treatment as well so couples can continue fighting for the commitment that they value.