Depression and Its Toll on a Marriage
Depression strikes over 20 million Americans each year (according to NIMH, National Institute of Mental Health), and well over half are women. When your spouse is depressed, it’s difficult to know how to reach them, how to help–and there’s a toll on your marriage. Many people ask, should I insist my spouse see a doctor? Or should I suggest marriage counseling? Sometimes it’s easier for a couple to look at how depression has affected their marriage as a whole, and for others, it’s easier to talk privately about individual issues before tackling the bigger picture.
Patti has been struggling with depression for years–ever since she was in college. After the birth of their second child, her depression grew worse. Sam started missing work to help care for their two children. Between his work, running their home, and the growing chasm between them, Sam was worried about his wife and their marriage.
Sam shares,
I don’t know what to do. Patti’s gotten worse since our second child was born. I’ve begged her to talk to her doctor about this. I finally called and she agreed to an appointment. She’s on medication now, but the doctor said that it sometimes takes several tries before hitting the right meds and dosage. He also recommended we see a counselor. I’m juggling my own business, running home to check on her and the kids, and my nerves are shot. I’m trying to hide it from everyone–her family, my family–and I’m exhausted and resentful. This has been going on for years, eating away at us little by little.
I don’t know how much more I can take. I can’t imagine living my whole life this way. If she won’t get help, then do we really have a marriage? I’m thinking that if I insist we talk to a marriage counselor then they can help her with her depression as well.
It’s true that depression is a heavy load to bear for everyone involved. And although one partner may be suffering with depression, their spouse suffers as well–often by taking up other responsibilities and worries within the marriage. Marriage counseling is a valid option. It’s easier to face a problems together, and in conjunction with medication monitored by a competent physician, marriage counseling can allow a couple to begin to heal the wounds, repair the fabric of their relationship, and create good communication skills that are vital to any relationship.
Related Posts
- Depression and Its Toll on Marriages
- Depression in Marriage
- Untreated Depression In a Marriage
- Therapy Treatment for Depression
- Marriage, Depression and Counseling
