Depression is a challenge that is difficult for individual and their family to cope with. Research has illustrated that depression’s effects are not only noticeable on the individual who has been diagnosed but are also spread to have a negative impact on their loved ones and the entourage that is around them.
Out of all these people, significant others seem to endure the highest level of suffering due to the different ways by which depression can take over the relationship. Partners of people with depression often find themselves assuming a caregiver role once symptoms start to impact the quality of the couple’s life.
In a study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationship, the researchers explored spillover effects in the context of couples who are in a committed relationship. The study achieved new strides by asking each of the partners in the relationship to share their experience, feelings, and thoughts on how depression has negatively affected their lives. Among the 135 participating couples, researchers were able to successfully identify several key themes that occurred most frequently, and that were responsible for the emotional toll on the relationship.
Fortunately, there are ways to treat depression and couples that are suffering from this devastating condition can have access to several options of professional help. Psychotherapy is one of the options and is proven to be a successful treatment for couples who are striving to find ways to cope. Treatment for depression has outstanding success rate of 90 percent. A few other effective coping alternatives that can be helpful and that couples in this situation can do on a daily basis include the following:
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Improving communication skills: Keeping an open channel of communication is key to decreasing the level of tension that depression brings onto the relationship.
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Decreasing level of anger and negativity inside the home: Avoiding anger, and spreading positivity within the couple can help cope with the negative thoughts and feelings that depression imposes on their daily life.
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Making significant decisions together: It is specifically important for the person suffering from depression to feel included in the significant couple’s decision.
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Sharing more positive energy with one another: After all, being there for each other is what keeps any couple going. Positivity is a key word for any relationship that is threatened by depression.
By improving daily habits and participating in regular psychotherapy, couples will:
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Reduce damaging interactions between couples.
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Improve interactions between couples.
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Build emotional bonding and closure.
However, prior to thinking of ways to treat depression couples first need to identify a few warning signs that may be present in their relationship. A few things to look out for include but are not limited to:
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Non-existent or diminished sex life.
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Feelings of hopelessness about the relationship.
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Temptations to act out.
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Experiencing extreme emotions with each other.
Once it is determined that one side of the relationship is struggling with depression, it really puts a strain on the couple’s quality of life and can cause lots of preventative issues. It’s important to try and work through the situation using the aforementioned ways to lend support to each other.
Lastly, if you think that you or your partner are experiencing signs of depression, do not wait until they hit rock bottom. Being educated and up to date with all of the signs and symptoms of depression will benefit you in the long run.
Now is the time to say goodbye to depression using transcranial magnetic stimulation to treat various forms of depression in Los Angeles, including treatment resistant depression. To schedule a consultation, call 888.823.4867 or book an appointment online here.