How Depression can Impact your Relationship
Some symptoms of depression include fatigue, low motivation, changes in appetite, and irritability. Depression is an increasing problem in the United States as around 1 out of 5 people have been diagnosed with depression. The pandemic and other factors have contributed to the increase in it. This article will talk about how depression impacts not only individuals but also the relationships that individuals have while suffering from depression. This article will also talk about what can help your relationships if you or your loved one suffers from depression symptoms.
Depression can lead to isolation
Individuals may go into isolation due to the symptoms that they experience as a result of their depression. Depression can cause feelings of hopelessness, and worthlessness that could potentially lead to wanting to isolate yourself from others. That isolation may include how much that individual may decide to share causing a lack of communication and shutting down as a result. When there is a lack of communication in relationships, assumptions or drawing conclusions can then appear to try to fill in the gaps of what is not being said. When couples start assuming what the other person's meanings are, that is a recipe for strain on the relationship.
Depression could lead to decrease in desire
Intimacy and closeness are things that can be harder to maintain when depression is involved. Depression can lead to lower self-esteem and self-image as well which can have negative impacts on wanting to engage in and try to connect with others. Depression might also contribute to a decreased ability to perform sex-related activities. Intimacy doesn't just involve physical things but also things emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. Depression can put a damper on all forms of intimacy as well.
Depression can lead to an increase in substance usage
Those who have depression try to find different ways to cope with it. One of the ways in which someone might try to cope with feelings is through the usage of substances to try to dull or numb unwanted symptoms or emotions. Using and abusing different substances can actually in the long term increase negative symptoms of depression. The usage of substances might feel like a quick fix but in reality, it creates more problems for the individual using them. When individuals are using substances they are not like their normal selves. Individuals might become irritable, or like another person when using. It is not easy nor likely to reason with someone who is under the influence as well. When substances get in the relationship it also gets in the way of being able to connect and resolve issues.
What can be done to help?
Curiosity in communication rather than judgment
If you are in a relationship with someone that is impacted by depression one of the most influential things that you can do is to just sit with your partner without judgment and ask them open-ended questions about what they are going through. Be curious about their experience and try not to identify labels to behaviors of your partner due to depression symptoms. Getting defensive or angry will not be helpful in the relationship or with depression symptoms that your partner experiences. We may feel hurt when our partner is feeling down and wants to isolate, but it won’t help to get angry with them about it. Instead, their behaviors are due to their own internal suffering then it is about you.
Begin Working With A Couples Therapist
Couples counseling might be a good option for you and your partner if you are both feeling down and stuck from symptoms of depression. Here at Inward Counseling, we work with depression issues that impact couples. Reach out to our team of caring therapists today to see if we might be a good fit for your needs by following these simple steps:
Fill out our contact form
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Start receiving the support you deserve!
Other Services Offered With Inward Counseling
Couples therapy isn’t the only service offered with Inward Counseling. Our team is happy to offer other services in support of your mental health including therapy for anxiety, depression, family, and EMDR. We also offer trauma therapy and Christian counseling. Visit our blog or about page to learn more today.