Depression

Depression is one of the most common psychological disorders affecting one in five people in the United Kingdom (UK). It is an illness that fortunately people are starting to understand better as awareness grows and support is becoming more easily available.

Symptoms of depression take many forms and no two people experience exactly the same indicators of depression. Clinical depression is referred to by many names such as biological depression, major depression and “the blues”, however, all of these names refer to the same thing. i.e.: feeling extreme sense of sadness and depressing mood for weeks or months on end, not just for a few days. These types of feelings are most often accompanied by a lack of energy, hopelessness, despair, lack of self-worth, and having little happiness or no happiness in something that once gave a person happiness and joy in the past. A person who is suffering from this disorder may not seem sad to others and instead complain to others about their lack of energy or motivation to do anything as well as simple things like getting dressed or eating at mealtime.

 

Relationships

It is less understood as to what are the ways in which depression can affect a relationship; In a strong and healthy relationship there is the possibility to help one manage symptoms of depression successfully with effective and fruitful results, however, where there is depression it can make it difficult to maintain a helpful, rewarding or lasting relationship.

Strong and healthy relationships have the capability to assist us in coping with and handling symptoms of depression where in some instances it can have a big influence on whether or not a person becomes depressed. Such relationships provide us with a support network with loved ones that can be relied upon as well as people to talk to when things become difficult or too complicated to tolerate. They can make us feel less alone and enable one to keep hold of their point of view.

Equally, people in disturbed relationships are three times as likely to experience depression compared to those who aren’t. Unsupportive or unhappy relationships are a danger and risk to becoming depressed. Some studies that have been carried out found out that 60% of those who suffer from depression consider that the main cause of illness is because of relationship problems.

If either you or your partner suffers from depression, it could be because they are so overwhelmed by their symptoms that being able to find the energy to communicate feels unbearable. It can be easy to find this challenging , draining or even hurtful being either a partner or family member leaving you feeling very exhausted and not able to cope. The effort of feeling you need to support your partner and keeping up with running the house or looking after the rest of the family can feel like a big struggle and extremely draining.

The person with depression may start feeling like a burden and feeling that they are getting in the way disturbing the lives of others making the lives of those around them worse. They may be aware of the affects that their depression and unhappiness is having on their relationships, however, they feel that they are incapable or powerless to do anything about it. This may leave them feeling ashamed or embarrassed and in turn lowering their self-esteem even more.

 

Is depression affecting your relationship?

If you think that your relationship may be in trouble and that you can benefit from couples counselling, then please get in contact with us at www.MarriageCounselling.London and speak to our professional therapist on: 07958 592638. You can also speak to a www.MarriageCounselling.London professional therapist by email at: [email protected] or by webcam/ Live Chat.