Can Unresolved Marital Issues Contribute to Your Depression?

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Some people are more susceptible to depression than others. There is a genetic component to depression meaning that some individuals may “inherit” symptoms. With this predisposition, environmental triggers bring on symptoms. These triggers can include things like stress, grief, financial difficulties, traumatic experiences, or marital problems. Not only can these triggers cause intense emotional hurt and anger but they can also lead to a depressive episode. 

So, yes—unresolved marital issues can contribute to depression. You cannot rule out the possibility of other causes, however, we do know that unresolved conflict with those that we care about can lead to depressive symptoms. Financial stresses, work obligations, constrained time, and shifting expectations can impact your marriage and family. To keep your relationship working it can take more than love and sincere intentions: it can also take understanding, commitment, and conscious effort.

Understanding the Connection Between Marital Conflict and Depression

One study that is often used to show the connection between depression and marital discord is “Moderators of the Link between Marital Hostility and Change in Spouses’ Depressive Symptoms” by C. Proulx et al. (2009). Its findings confirm that depressive symptoms and marital problems co-occur. According to Marital Healing, Uebelacker et al. (2003) and Whitton et al. (2007) have similar findings, supporting the conclusion that constant marital conflict can be linked to amplified depressive symptoms, particularly in women.

For instance, constant intense anger is often felt by couples who have troubled relationships. This is a powerful emotion that can stand in the way of resolving relationship issues and even complicate them. Excessive anger is also among the main contributors to more intense arguments in a marriage.

Commit: Overcoming Chronic Marital Stress

It is widely held that an upsetting life situation, like a troubled marriage, can contribute to depressive symptoms. A study published in the Journal of Psychology involving 300 couples revealed startling connections. Those couples experiencing the highest level of marital stress correspondingly exhibited the most serious depressive symptoms.

It is important to remember that this study, like many, established correlation not causation. This means that while it makes sense to think that stress or hostile conflicts make you feel depressed, it is also possible that it is your depression that is contributing to the stresses in your relationship. It can be a vicious cycle, or the proverbial “Which came first—the chicken or the egg?”

Know the Vicious Cycle: Which Came First—Marital Issues or Depression?

If you research the topic, you are bound to discover A LOT of information about depression contributing to relationship issues. The real question is how the two are connected. Depression can ruin a loving relationship, but hostile marital conflicts can also contribute to distress and/or depression.

Depression can cause depression in a relationship as well. Even if you’re not the one experiencing symptoms. When your partner is depressed you will likely feel distressed as well. Depression can impact a happy marriage by sucking both spouses into its powerful undertow.

Consciously End the Cycle with Therapy

The cycle is vicious, whether it is your unresolved and stressful conflicts that are contributing to your depression or your depression that is negatively impacting your marriage. With your relationship and your family at stake, don’t wait to seek help for your concerns and depressive symptoms. Call Carolina Counseling Services – Sanford, NC.

Clearly, no marriage is absolutely free from stress. Miscommunication, frustration, and misunderstandings happen in all relationships, even healthy ones. Counseling can help. Call CCS today to schedule your first appointment.

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