

{"id":52082,"date":"2020-06-22T08:28:29","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T08:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=52082"},"modified":"2025-01-21T04:35:35","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T04:35:35","slug":"relationship-depression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/relationship-depression\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Signs Your Relationship is Making You Depressed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-52085\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/signs-your-relationship-is-making-you-depressed.jpg\" alt=\"Depressed Couple Sitting Together At Home On Couch While Women Head Down And Crying\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/love\/fall-in-love\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fall in love<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They enter into a relationship to be happy. While all partnerships have their ups and downs, there are cases where the &ldquo;downs&rdquo; are so much that they lead to relationship depression.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is relationship depression? Why would some people fall victim to it? While romantic partnerships are supposed to be a source of strength and happiness, that is not always the case. Here is a list of warnings that you have relationship depression.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-potential-signs-of-relationship-depression\"><\/span>5 potential signs of relationship depression<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does depression feel like?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How is my relationship making me depressed?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First off, not all relationships are toxic, and though there are times you want to scream at the top of your lungs because of your partner, it&rsquo;s all part of being in love.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relationship depression is a whole different animal. It can cause severe trauma and ruin your life. While you find your partner eating the last piece of cake is annoying but ignore it, it might have long term effects on your mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some common signs that you are suffering from relationship depression.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-You-are-having-suicidal-thoughts\"><\/span>1. You are having suicidal thoughts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-52087\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/you-are-having-suicidal-thoughts.jpg\" alt=\"Human Head With Hangman's Rope Instead Of Brain - Man Is Thinking About Suicide And Killing Himself By Hanging\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&rsquo;s common among manic depressives to have suicidal thoughts. But if yours only started since having a relationship or marriage, then your love life may be killing you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with suicidal thoughts are starting to give up on life. It is caused by a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/hopelessness-in-relationships\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">feeling of hopelessness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a lack of faith in future prospects. A relationship should be about raising a family, growing old together, and living happily ever after. If there&rsquo;s a disconnect between reality and the fairy tale love story, it could lead to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/271889599_A_study_of_relationship_between_suicidal_ideas_depression_anxiety_resiliency_daily_stresses_and_mental_health_among_Tehran_university_students\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">suicidal thoughts and depression<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-Your-health-declined\"><\/span><b>2. Your health declined<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A lot of people would be happy to lose weight, but if you are losing a lot of weight without trying, it could either be a severe health issue or you are depressed in a relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rapid weight gain could also be a sign of deteriorating health. A lot of people binge eat when they are depressed in their relationship. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relationships are also found to have a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurekalert.org\/news-releases\/791880\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">direct influence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, neurosensory, and other physiological systems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">According to licensed mental health counselor <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/experts\/grady-shumway\" target=\"_blank\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Grady Shumway<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Emotional stress from a troubled relationship can significantly affect your physical well-being, causing changes in appetite, sleep patterns, and overall health. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Recognizing these signs early can help you address the root cause and seek the support needed to regain balance.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-Escapism\"><\/span><b>3. Escapism<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relationship depression could also activate a lot of defense mechanisms in the psyche to protect itself. Unfortunately, a lot of these defense mechanisms, such as substance abuse, can do more harm than good.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-Partner-Anxiety\"><\/span><b>4. Partner Anxiety<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-52088\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/partner-anxiety.jpg\" alt=\"Heartbroken Woman Eating A Lot Of Desserts Because Of Depression And Huge Stress At Work\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is a list of partner anxiety examples.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You fear sex<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You feel better when your partner is not around<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;You are afraid when they call your name<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;You can not relax when your partner is nearby<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;You dread the time when they are coming home<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;You get panic attacks when they raise their voice<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;Their mere presence is stressful<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are clear signs of a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/what-is-a-toxic-relationship-and-its-common-types\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">toxic relationship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Most of the time, depression in a relationship is caused by negativity from your partner. There are other reasons, such as the lack of money or in-laws, but when you feel partner anxiety, it means your partner is the source of your problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-Lowered-Self-Esteem\"><\/span><b>5. Lowered Self Esteem<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lack of self-esteem and depression are directly correlated. If you start to lose confidence after getting into a relationship, it could also be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/warning-signs-of-a-toxic-person\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a toxic partner<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that leads to relationship depression.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While some <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/mental-health\/low-self-esteem-in-relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">people have low self esteem<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for various reasons, some only developed it to comply with their partner&rsquo;s demands. When it&rsquo;s the latter case, then it&rsquo;s a sign of a depressed relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Grady Shumway adds that:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>This erosion of self-worth often happens gradually, as the toxic dynamics of the relationship undermine your confidence. Rebuilding self-esteem requires recognizing these unhealthy patterns and seeking support to regain a sense of self-respect and empowerment.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-to-Deal-with-Depression-in-a-Relationship\"><\/span>How to Deal with Depression in a Relationship<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depression and relationships are not usually correlated, but a lot of people do suffer from relationship depression. Ask yourself these simple questions, &ldquo;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/quizzes\/are-you-in-an-unhappy-relationship-quiz\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Am I unhappy in my relationship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or depressed?&rdquo;, &ldquo;Is the relationship itself the cause of my unhappiness?&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The problem here is how honestly you can answer those questions. Denial is a powerful mental block and can prevent an individual from interpreting reality as it is.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is a vicious circle, a challenge that most therapists face- breaking down the delusion that people build around themselves to protect their sanity. If the therapist does it too bluntly, it could result in more mental problems. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mind creates these delusions as a protective measure. However, without altering an individual&rsquo;s perception in-line with reality, it is impossible to get to the root of the problem, depression included.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relationship depression with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC1497013\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">physical abuse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is easy to spot. There are physical evidences that point to the source of the problem; there is also a legal framework that protects individuals for it. However, emotional and verbal abuse is different. It is a legal grey area, and opinions differ on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/domestic-violence-and-abuse\/signs-of-verbal-and-emotional-abuse\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what constitutes as emotional and verbal abuse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are thinking about how to stop being depressed, the solution is to change the environment, your partner included. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But it is never as simple as it sounds. A lot of partners feel trapped in their relationships because of the machinations created by the toxic partner. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They can use coercion and hold other family members hostage. They could break down a person&rsquo;s self-worth to the point where they feel they could not survive in the outside world without them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relationship depression, like all forms of depression, can be mitigated with therapy and medication. Still, it is a stop-gap and not a permanent solution. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it is highly unlikely that the situation will change for the better if the problem is the partner, changing partners is a permanent solution. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That is assuming they change partners for the better; some people dig their own holes, such as how codepe<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ndents attract narcissistic partners<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ending relationship depression means ending the relationship itself and finding happiness somewhere else, living alone with pets included. But most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/7-ways-to-heal-your-toxic-relationship\/\">toxic relationships<\/a> are complicated with interweaving traps and pitfalls such as money, children, and criminal threats. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each case is highly sensitive because there are toxic partners that respond with violence when their depressed partners attempt to leave.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alan Robarge, Relationship Coach, and Psychotherapist discusses the art of ending relationships. According to him,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;When we contemplate how to end, we realize that there are a range of options available to us.&rdquo;<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check it out:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eHH0Ixl6D4c\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So how does one deal with relationship depression? The first step is to recognize it; and the second step is to reach out for help. It is not something the depressed individual can do alone.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":""},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>People fall in love. They enter into a relationship to be happy. While all partnerships have their ups and downs, there are cases where the &ldquo;downs&rdquo; are so much that they lead to relationship depression. What is relationship depression? Why would some people fall victim to it? While romantic partnerships are supposed to be a source of strength and happiness, that is not always the case. Here is a list of warnings that you have relationship depression. 5 potential signs of relationship depression What does depression feel like? How is my relationship making me depressed? First off, not all relationships <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":675,"featured_media":52085,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[93],"tags":[2716],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52082"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/675"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52082"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52082\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":107037,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52082\/revisions\/107037"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52085"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}