There’s absolutely no denying it: struggling with depression while navigating a relationship is a challenge, one that can leave both you and your partner feeling confused and frustrated. However, just because it might be a difficult situation in no way means it’s destined to be an impossible one. You might have to find creative, unique ways to navigate depression and keep it from negatively impacting the relationship you’ve worked to build.
Depression can impact a relationship
It’s incredibly difficult to maintain control over something you don’t understand. Therefore, it’s important to know how depression can affect a relationship.
In a study released a few years ago, a number of individuals expressed an experience struggling with depression in their relationship. They noticed issues such as:
- Emotional toll
- Problems with romantic and sexual intimacy
- Communication
- Isolation
- Lack of energy/motivation and understanding
- Uncertainty
- An unhealthy dependence on the relationship
If you experience these compromising situations or others in your relationship, know that this doesn’t automatically qualify as a depression diagnosis. It only means that these situations could be exacting a negative toll on your relationship. If you see your relationship in the above qualifications, know that there are steps you can take to address the issues and heal your relationship.
How is your depression affecting you?
You’re likely to feel the effects of depression on several aspects of your relationship. Depression might impact your sleep cycle, cause feelings of deep sadness or hopelessness, steal your motivation, make pleasurable activities seem bland or deprive you of joy and overall lightheartedness.
When you begin to experience these symptoms, you have two choices. You can either try to handle them on your own, or you can open up to your partner and explain what’s going on. While this might seem impossible at first – since depression can make communication quite difficult – it’s important to note that communicating about your struggle with depression is a vital first step towards recovery and freedom from depression.
Opening up to your partner
Talking to your partner offers you the chance to explain what you’re feeling, or even just explain how difficult it is to fully express your emotions. Sharing with them your struggle allows them to empathize with the difficulties you’re experiencing, which can minimize hard feelings and unite the two of you in difficult times.
When you’ve opened up to your partner about your struggles, the two of you can create a game plan for difficult moments. You can brainstorm the best ways to handle times when you’re feeling particularly down, to together strengthen your relationship.
Seeking additional help
While your partner can be an important factor in helping you fight depression, keep in mind that they are not a licensed counselor. No matter how much strength and advice they offer you, it’s also vital to embrace conversations with medical professionals whenever necessary.
Counselors can help you fight depression through appropriate coping mechanisms, mental exercises which combat depressive symptoms, and conversational strategies when talking with your partner. In addition, they can provide effective methods through which you and your partner can strengthen your relationship regardless of depression.
To speak with a counselor today, reach out to Silvermist Recovery at (724) 268-4858.