Marital Stress Can Lead to Depression

Does depression lead to marital stress, or does marital stress lead to depression?  Turns out either equation may be true.  Certainly when one member of a couple is depressed, their state of mind will affect their partner.  But did you realize that the stress a couple experiences can have effects on the ability to experience positive feelings, and can create symptoms of depression?

When researchers at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, investigated the effect of marital stress, they found significant results. People who are experiencing ongoing couple problems are less able to enjoy the good things they experience.  Those people also report other symptoms of depression.  This should come as no surprise, since our relationships have such a big effect on our everyday experience.  If we are unhappy with our partner, or unhappy with the way we are relating to each other, it is probably going to affect our overall mood.

Why is this research important?  It teaches us that if our partner seems depressed, it may be something we need to address as well.  Or if we are depressed, we may need to get our partner’s help.  One of the questions we should be discussing is whether there are any relationship issues that are contributing to stress or lack of pleasure in day-to-day life.  We shouldn’t immediately assume that depression is something someone needs to address alone (in fact depression can have many causes, and thankfully just as many solutions).

If you are experiencing feelings of depression, or have a partner with depressive symptoms, take a few minutes to think about how things have been in your relationship.  Have the two of you been under any unusual stresses lately that have impacted your relationship (like issues with a child, a death in the family, financial issues, job loss, or intimacy concerns)?  Are you enjoying the positive interactions you would like?  Do you feel close?  If not, consider couple or marriage counseling as one alternative to turn things around.