Can depressed people be in happy relationships? (2023)

Can you have a healthy relationship with someone who is depressed?

Just because someone is depressed, doesn't mean you should write them off. You can definitely be in a healthy relationship with someone who has a mental illness but keep an eye out for when things get unhealthy.

Depression can impact all aspects of our lives, including our relationships. The symptoms associated with depression make it difficult to connect emotionally or to spend time with others.

It's important to know that many people with serious mental illnesses have strong, supportive, long-term relationships. A good relationship provides valuable social support during difficult times, whereas a bad relationship can worsen your symptoms, particularly in cases of depression.

Encourage treatment

Those supporting someone with depression can play an important role in their recovery by encouraging them to seek help from a doctor or mental health professional. To inspire a partner to seek treatment, a person can try: documenting and sharing their partner's symptoms with them.

They are struggling so much with their mental illness that they are incapable of feeling emotions of any kind, including love. Therefore, “feeling no emotion” = “I must not love you any more.”

Mental illness alone is no excuse to break up with someone. Loads of people with mental health conditions are able to enjoy long lasting, fulfilling, happy relationships. Just because someone is depressed, has anxiety, or [insert mental illness here], doesn't mean you should write them off.

You're isolating yourself.

Depression makes you want to withdraw into your own island of despair. You might be ashamed you can't pull yourself out of the funk. Or if you don't have the energy to connect with your partner, you might drop out until you feel better.

It can leave people feeling guilty, worthless, lethargic, and anxious. Untreated depression can lead to a vicious cycle of self-destructing behaviors that ultimately crush relationships. Everything feels difficult with depression.

Encourage outside support and know that you alone can't fix it. Seeing people we love in pain is hard, especially when we can't relate to their struggle. We may want to fix their problems and be their support system.

How do you have a healthy relationship with mental illness?

Mental Illness & Relationships

Dating with a mental illness is difficult as the person struggles to navigate when and what to share with their partner. Opening up can be daunting as many people fear how their partner will react, but mental health should be discussed before things get serious.

Never tell someone with depression to just 'be happier. ' But you can do little things, like cuddling, making tea, making sure she's eating well, watching happy movies, asking how she's feeling, going on short walks (but don't push it if she really doesn't want to).

Every relationship has its ups and downs, but if you consistently feel drained or unhappy after interacting with your partner, these could be signs of a toxic relationship.

A: The duration of a depressive episode varies and is influenced by its severity, as well as treatment and individual factors. However, the average length of a depressive episode is thought to be six to eight months.

When Is It Time to Walk Away? In some cases, the decision to leave is obvious. If physical abuse is present to any degree, and especially if the individual fears for their own life or well-being or that of their children, it's important to leave as soon as possible. Safety is the number one priority.

Many people with mental health conditions may feel inadequate and have performance anxiety and low self-esteem. For both partners, this can lead to a decreased opportunity for bonding and result in unmet needs. The risk of codependent behaviors.

no you should speak with them first and see how you can resolve the issues, might also help to speak with a dr together. always important to talk things out before making big choices. after that if things look like they need to end then at least you know you both gave it your all and tried your best.

When we have depression, we oftentimes find ourselves withdrawing from our loved ones and sometimes, pushing people away. We don't always know why, and it's not always a conscious thing either, it's confusing, painful and unsettling.

Can depression make you uninterested in your partner?

In other words, being depressed can cause you to pay less attention to your partner, be less involved, be more irritable or have trouble enjoying time together–all of which can cause your relationship to falter.

Depression can affect every aspect of your life, including sex. Low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness and physical fatigue can lower your libido (sex drive). Depression can also lead to: Anorgasmia, or trouble having an orgasm.

Depression is contagious, but it's not as if you get infected when your depressed friend cries on your shoulder. Instead, your own susceptibility or immunity depends on lots of things–your genetics, history, stress, and more.

Unfortunately, depression can cause overwhelming loneliness and detachment which can hinder any relationship. Some people who suffer from depression experience debilitating exhaustion and hopelessness which can be very frustrating for two people in a relationship.

You feel hopeless about your relationship.

Feeling hopeless about your future together doesn't necessarily mean you're doomed. Instead, cognitive distortion that so often comes with depression may be manipulating your thoughts into believing the future looks hopeless and that things will never get better⁽⁷⁾.

Mental illness alone is no excuse to break up with someone. Loads of people with mental health conditions are able to enjoy long lasting, fulfilling, happy relationships. Just because someone is depressed, has anxiety, or [insert mental illness here], doesn't mean you should write them off.