For people suffering from depression it is not only an emotional problem but it also affects their personal life and the way that they function. It is an illness that affects all aspects of a person’s existence including their relationships. Romantic connections can sometimes suffer if a partner is not able to manage their depression effectively.
Depression is a mental health issue that causes distortions in a person’s thinking and perception of themselves and others. They can see things in a much more negative light than what is really true and real. Someone with depression may develop negative beliefs about their relationship that don’t reflect reality but can lead to issues of mistrust and distance.
One of the biggest issues that can come up with depression is self-doubt and low confidence. Someone with very low self-esteem may feel like they are unworthy of love or believe that their partner doesn’t care about them. Their depression can make them feel flawed and they may have problems trusting their partner as a result.
Sometimes depression can also manifest as being very critical of others and having high expectations. A depressed person may criticize their partner more often because they don’t know how to cope with their negative feelings. This can lead to more conflict and difficulties communicating.
When one person in a relationship has depression they may have certain expectations of how their partner should behave or show their love. The depressed person can easily become disappointed or feel that their relationship is failing if things don’t meet their expectations. They can start to judge themselves, their partner and their entire relationship too harshly.
Getting treatment for depression through individual therapy or combining it with couples therapy can help improve romantic relationships. Depression can sabotage even great partnerships so it is important to manage symptoms as often as possible.