The Impact of Depression on Relationships

Two people cover their faces.

According to the World Health Organization, about 280 million people worldwide struggle with depression. Depression can significantly impact virtually all areas of your life. From your own mental health and well-being to relationships with loved ones, and more. In this article, you’ll learn more about the impact of depression on relationships, and why it’s critical you seek professional depression relationship therapy if you are struggling with mental illness. 

At Hammocks on the Edisto, we are a premier women’s drug rehab in South Carolina committed to providing one-of-a-kind treatment to help as many patients break free of addiction. We understand that no two recovery journeys are ever the same. That’s why we offer an extensive range of treatment programs so you can receive the right care you need to safely and effectively achieve long-term sobriety. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you take back control of your life.

6 Ways Depression Negatively Impacts Relationships

Depression can significantly interfere with your relationships. From hurting your relationships with family members to friends, romantic relationships, professional relationships, and more, keep reading to learn more about the negative implications of depression and relationships. 

  1. Shutting Out Loved Ones

Depression, like many other mental health disorders, is a very isolating condition. Unfortunately, many individuals struggling with depression don’t just lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, but they also shut out close friends and family members. This can be for a variety of reasons from guilt or shame with what they are struggling with, to self-sabotaging relationships with loved ones, and more. 

  1. Difficulty Making New Relationships

Without question the impact of depression on relationships with loved ones is severe. But, depression can also make it significantly difficult to form new and meaningful relationships with others you do not know. From trying to make more friends in your personal life, or wanting a meaningful romantic relationship, depression can interfere with your ability to form new and healthy relationships with others. 

  1. Hurt Professional Relationships

Depression can also hurt your professional relationships with work colleagues. From not being as close to these professional relationships to potentially your coworkers losing trust in you due to a decline in work performance that stemmed from your depression symptoms. Not only can your professional relationships be negatively impacted by your depression, but you may also experience a decline in your work performance.

  1. Feeling Guilty Of Not Being A Good Friend/Partner

Similar to shutting off towards loved ones, individuals struggling with depression may also feel guilty for not being a “good” friend, partner, family member, etc. Many individuals with depression don’t want to be seen as a burden to their loved ones, so unfortunately they will suffer in silence with their condition which oftentimes worsens symptoms even more.

  1. Interfere with Romantic Relationships 

Last but not least, depression negatively impacts romantic relationships. From physical aspects like decreasing your libido to emotional aspects like building a wall between you and your partner, there’s no question that depression also harms romantic relationships for the worse. 

  1. Hurt Relationships with Children

If you are a parent struggling with depression, oftentimes your depression can negatively impact your relationships with your kid(s), as well as your child’s development. While parents with depression are by no means bad parents, it’s critical you seek professional mental health services if you are struggling with mental illness so you can be the best possible parent you can be for your child. 

Start Your Road to Recovery

The impact of depression on relationships is significant such that many individuals with depression fracture relationships with loved ones because of their symptoms. From distancing yourself away from friends and family members to having difficulty forming new and healthy relationships, depression negatively impacts several different types of relationships in a person’s life.

If you are suffering from depression, you don’t have to struggle in silence– help is available! At Hammocks on the Edisto, we are a leading women’s treatment center in South Carolina that’s helped many women overcome addiction and achieve long-term sobriety. With our individualized care and women-specific approach, patients receive unique treatment so they can receive the best possible care to support their recovery journey.
Contact us today to learn more about how you can take back control of your life.

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