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Depression and Its Toll on Marriages

Depression is one of major causes of disrupted marriages and personal suffering. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that Depression affects over 20 million Americans each year, over half of which are women.

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy describes the cycle of depression and the toll it takes on individuals, couples and families:

The symptoms of depression described above make it clear: To be depressed is to suffer. The hopelessness and helplessness that people experience when they are depressed is more than just a frame of mind at such times — it is an entire way of being. People stop trying, they stop caring, they withdraw from life, and of course, this makes them feel even worse. Their lives deteriorate, and it affects others as well. Family members are not immune to the depressive’s negativity — the never-ending complaints, the steady stream of criticisms, the lack of emotional closeness, and the loss of the ability to have fun together. Spouses can feel hurt and alienated, and children may feel guilty, resentful, and as if they are to blame. In turn, family relationships can also exacerbate depressive symptoms.

When Depression strikes marriages, it can make even simple issues seem insurmountable. When once spouse is depressed, the other finds it increasingly difficult to know how to reach them or how to help, driving the marriage further into an abyss.

Many married couples who are dealing with depression seek out marriage counseling first, but then incorporate individual counseling as a way to further support the spouse suffering from Depression.

Depression isn’t something that can be faced alone when it involves a married couple because both partners are caught up in it’s wake. It is healthier and easier to face the problems together in association with marriage counseling and therapy to begin healing.

This article was written by Staff Writer, and posted on Monday, June 8th, 2009 at 12:12 pm. It is filed under Marriage Counselors. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.