Is your marriage making you depressed or are you just unwell? The connection between relationships and mental health is not clear-cut, and the exact cause of depression isn't always known. Unpicking the reasons for how you are feeling is best left to the experts, but that's not to say you shouldn't try to understand your emotional health, especially if you think your relationship could be the source of your unhappiness. It can be hard to tell the difference between mental illness and a marriage that's making you depressed, but there are some key differences. Let's explore them here.

Help! I Think My Marriage Is Making Me Depressed

While it's common to feel like your marriage is making you depressed, the way you feel in an unhappy relationship is different from a clinical depression diagnosis. Relationships can severely affect our mental health, and there are several reasons why your marriage could be making you depressed. These include:

• Your partner is emotionally or physically abusive
• Your partner has a physical or mental health issue
• You spend a lot of time alone – you feel lonely and/or isolated
• You can’t communicate with your partner
• There is a lack of physical and/or emotional intimacy
• You feel like you cannot be yourself around your partner
• Your partner makes you feel bad about yourself
• There is a financial strain in your marriage
• One of you has been unfaithful, or there is a lack of trust in the marriage
• Your partner discourages you from doing things that make you happy – such as pursuing hobbies or socializing with friends.

Is My Relationship Causing My Depression?

Depression is thought to be caused by a combination of genetics, past trauma, brain chemistry, physical health and environmental factors. As such, an unhappy relationship may not be the sole cause of your depression, but it could well be a contributing factor.

According to a 2014 study, stress within a marriage can make you more vulnerable to depression. Nevertheless, it helps to know the difference between the two forms so that you can seek the appropriate support or treatment for your depression.

Situational depression

Situational depression refers to a depressed mood as a response to a difficult event in your life, such as a bereavement, loss of a job or marriage problems. The medical term for situational depression is "stress response syndrome." This type of depression usually lifts with time and doesn't usually require depression medication. If your doctor thinks your depression is severe, he or she may prescribe you with antidepressant medications or refer you to a psychiatrist. Counseling can help you work through your feelings and implement coping strategies.

Clinical depression

Clinical depression (also known as major depressive disorder) is usually more severe than situational depression. It does not typically occur because of a situation or life experience, although trauma or difficult life circumstances can trigger it. The main difference is that clinical depression cannot usually be traced back to one relationship or event, and there is often a genetic component. Clinical depression usually requires long-term treatment, such as antidepressant medications, therapy or both.

My Relationship Is Causing Depression: Will Counseling Help?

Situational depression usually resolves after time passes or as the situation improves. If you don’t take steps to change your environment, however, it’s likely that the depression will continue, even if you seek treatment.

If you feel stuck in your marriage or like you can't communicate with your partner, individual or couples' counseling could be a great help. If your marriage problems revolve around family dynamics, family therapy could also be a good idea. A professional therapist will allow you to talk to your partner in a safe space where both of your voices can be heard. They will act as a mediator between you and your spouse, making sure each of your concerns is addressed.

Therapists are skilled at teasing our deepest resentments and feelings out of us. They challenge what we're feeling and why it bothers us. They also break up repeated patterns of upset and retaliation by pointing out our problematic behavior and teaching better communication techniques.

Ultimately, if your marriage is making you so depressed that you decide to split, a therapist can help you do this in a way that minimizes the pain for both you and your spouse.

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Depression and sex issues are common, and problems with intimacy don't always get better with treatment. Sexual desire starts in the brain, so it's surprising that mental illnesses like depression affect a person's ability to enjoy a fulfilling sex life. Whether you experience pain during intercourse, problems achieving orgasm or an unwillingness to engage in intimacy, it's no secret that depression and sexuality don't exactly go hand-in-hand. So how can you protect your relationship when depression strikes? Here are some tips to help you navigate depression and sex.

Depression and Sex: What’s the Problem?

Sex, when you have depression, can bring all sorts of issues to the surface; after all, loving someone with depression has its challenges. The good news is that, while problems with sex can lead to other relationship issues, there are plenty of treatment options for sexual problems related to depression. This means that being open with your doctor about your challenges between the sheets is key to overcoming them.

Although seeing your doctor about such a personal problem can feel uncomfortable, most medical professionals deal with these kinds of complaints all the time. The most common issues faced by those with depression in intimate relationships are:

• Inability to enjoy sex
• Decreased libido
• Erectile dysfunction (in men)
• Delayed orgasm
• Withdrawal and lack of intimacy

People with depression can, on the other end of the spectrum, become addicted to sex as a way to self-soothe and feel better. However, a dramatic increase in your libido can be a sign of mania, which is symptomatic of bipolar disorder. It can also be a side-effect of some medication.

The bottom line is, you should see your doctor if you notice any significant changes to your sex drive – whether or not you have been diagnosed with depression – as there might be an underlying cause.

Depression and Lack of Sex Drive: How to Protect Your Relationship

Understandably, issues with sex and depression can also lead to other relationship problems, such as poor communication, arguments and withdrawal. Here are some tips to help you navigate depression and a lack of sex drive without damaging your relationship.

Talk to your partner

Many couples shy away from the topic of sex during everyday conversation. Sex needs to be a part of your relationship, whether you have it or not. You must remain open about your feelings and encourage your partner to do the same.

It’s important for neither of you to blame or criticize during this process. If you both have different wants and needs when it comes to sex, it can help to talk with the support of an intermediary – such as a sex therapist – who can help you find some middle ground.

See your doctor

Both depression and antidepressant medications can affect a person's desire for sex, which can seem like a cruel joke when you're trying to get better and improve your relationship. If you're not happy with your lack of libido and it's causing problems in your relationship, your doctor may be able to switch your medication and explore ways to increase your sex drive.

Your doctor may do tests to rule out other causes of your low libido, or you may be offered testosterone supplements, Viagra medication or a drug with a dopamine component. You may also be referred for sex therapy or couples counseling.

Don’t force it

No one should feel forced to have sex when they're not in the mood, and nobody has the right to demand intimacy. It is your body, and only you can call the shots. Forcing yourself to have sex out of guilt will only make you feel more negative about intimate experiences with your partner, and it won't make either of you feel very good.

Instead, work with your partner to create an intimate scenario you might be happy with. If sexual contact feels too overwhelming, you can start by spending time kissing, holding hands on the sofa or just being close to one another. If you do this, it's vital that both partners agree to the terms beforehand, and that no one tries to pressure the other to take it further.

Stay positive

Sex and depression can be incredibly tricky to navigate, and you may feel like you're starting back at square one if you're struggling to be intimate with your partner. If you're both willing to work on it, however, there are plenty of ways to move your relationship forward and both enjoy a healthy sex life.

Remember: this is temporary. A person's sexuality undergoes many changes throughout their lifetime. Learning to coast through these challenges and uncertainties as a couple is a part of being in a long-term relationship. The main thing is to stay focused on positive action, rather than dwelling on a situation you cannot immediately change.

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Does your depressed partner blame you for everything? If so, you may be wondering if you should put up with it to try to help your partner and preserve the relationship or whether you should leave to protect your emotional health. While the symptoms of depression are nobody's fault, that doesn't mean you should put up with unpleasant or abusive behavior. Your mental and emotional health should be your number one priority, however much you love your partner. Setting boundaries is easier said than done, so here’s what you should do if your depressed partner blames you for everything.

My Depressed Partner Blames Me for Everything: Should I Leave?

If your depressed partner blames you for everything, you probably feel unfairly victimized and tired of being used as an emotional punching bag. You may even contemplate leaving the relationship to protect your own emotional health, but is this the right thing to do?

Depression often makes people act in ways that seem entirely out of character. It also manifests differently in everyone. Some people will be sad, tearful and lethargic, whereas others may be angry and irritable. Your partner may even flit between moods, and there may be no telling how he or she will wake up. Know that these sudden mood changes aren't necessarily permanent – they may be symptoms of the illness that will fade with the right medication or treatment.

Whether your partner's depression is a new diagnosis or a lifelong struggle, there is no "right answer" to the question of whether to stay or go. Just know that blaming a partner for everything that goes wrong is a form of emotional abuse, and you don't have to accept it.

“If they keep hurting you, love them and stay or love yourself and leave.” – Sonya Parker

How to Set Boundaries with Your Depressed Partner

Depression is an illness, but that doesn’t make it okay for your partner to blame you for everything or abuse you emotionally. Here’s how to set healthy boundaries with your partner to protect yourself, help your partner and (hopefully) preserve the relationship:

Remind your partner that while they can’t control how depression makes them feel, they can control their actions.  

Ultimately, your partner is the only one responsible for his or her actions. No one can help being depressed, but they can control how they treat others. According to Steven Stosny, Ph.D., no matter what happens in life, the person you love and trust will always care about your wellbeing and will never intentionally hurt you. When your partner acts against this and you let them, you both violate the “implicit promise you made to each other that gave you the courage to love in the first place,” Stosny explains.

Say, “I understand you’re hurting, but talking to me in that way is unacceptable.”

In this instance, it may help to explicitly state what is acceptable to you and what is not. For example, when your partner feels angry, suggest they go into a room and scream and shout into a pillow rather than taking their frustration out on you. Explain that if they shout at you or use abusive language, you will calmly close the door and walk away until they've calmed down.

Let them know that you're always there, but only if they treat you with respect.

It’s tempting to tell those we love that we will be there no matter what. However, unhealthy patterns are present in the relationship, making unconditional proclamations of love is not helpful. Instead, tell your partner that you are there, so long as they treat you with the respect you deserve.

Know when to seek help or walk away

Depression does not make people abusive. However, stressful life circumstances can bring out abusive tendencies in people that, until now, have been dormant. Depression also leads to drug or alcohol addiction in roughly one-third of adults, studies say, which is one of the leading causes of domestic violence.

If your partner becomes threatening or violent, you must seek help immediately. It's understandable to feel that this behavior is entirely out of character for your partner and to want to protect them. However, you could be putting yourself in danger by doing so.

If you’re concerned about someone with depression, you can call the NAMI helpline at (800)-950-6264 for advice and support. If you believe your partner is acutely suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or your local emergency services without delay.

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What should you do when your boyfriend is depressed? Dating someone with depression can be challenging, and studies show that men find it more difficult to “come out” about their mental health issues than women. Although maintaining a relationship when your boyfriend has depression is not that different to dating someone without a mental illness, at times, protecting your own mental health can seem like a struggle. By understanding the common issues depression throws up and knowing how to respond, you can support the man you love without threatening your mental wellbeing. Here's what to do if your boyfriend is depressed.  

Do You Know What to Do When Your Boyfriend Is Depressed?

When your boyfriend is depressed, showing that you understand his condition is critical to the success of your relationship. Depression makes people feel isolated and alone; like they are the only ones who have ever felt the way they do. If you’ve never been depressed, you may find it difficult to understand this. However, you don't need to have dealt with depression first-hand to know how it affects your partner – you just need to listen.  

At times, it may feel like your boyfriend doesn’t want to get better, especially if he’s reluctant to get help. You must understand that he doesn’t want to be depressed. Withdrawal is a symptom of the illness. Men often feel like they should be able to change and control things to protect the ones they love, but depression is out of their control. It is an illness that requires treatment and management like any other. However, the inability to “snap out of it” can make men feel frustrated, often leading to anger outbursts or aggressiveness. So, what should you do when this occurs?

What to Do When Your Boyfriend Is Depressed: 5 Tips

Although there are specific issues that are more common in men than in women with depression, how you care for someone with depression are the same, regardless of gender.

When your boyfriend is depressed, he may not recognize his depression symptoms as signs of a mental health condition. He may blame other events in his life (like a stressful job or trouble in your relationship), or he may avoid the topic altogether. One of the ways you can help a boyfriend with depression is by helping him find a doctor or mental health professional. This is an important first step in diagnosing and treating depression, but it may not be easy for your partner.

Other ways to help your boyfriend with depression:

• Being patient: Show him that you’re there for the long haul, and don’t pressure him to get better. Instead, provide understanding, support and encouragement.
• Knowing when talk and when to listen: When your boyfriend is depressed, it can be hard to know what to say and do. Although talking about his feelings is important, there will be times when all you need to do is listen.
• Helping him stay active: Exercise is one of the most effective tools we have against depression, but it can feel impossible to someone struggling with a mental illness. Help him increase his level of physical and social activity by inviting him out for hikes, games, and other events. Just don't push him too hard if he refuses.  
• Making sure he gets to his appointments: People with depression can be avoidant, meaning they don’t always do the things that will make them better. Encourage your boyfriend to get to his medical appointments and go with him if needs be. Make sure he raises any concerns he has about his symptoms or treatment.
• Knowing the signs of suicide: If your boyfriend mentions death or dying or talks about wanting to "end it," you must seek help immediately. Suicidal ideation (thoughts about suicide) is a serious symptom and should not be ignored. If your boyfriend is suicidal, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24-hours-a-day (1-800-273-8255) or your contact the emergency services.

Relationships aren't always easy when your boyfriend is depressed. In some cases, experiencing mental illness can strengthen and a romantic bond, but that doesn't mean there won't be stumbling blocks along the way. Just remember that with time and treatment, his depression will lift, but that your first obligation is to yourself – you are not bad if you leave your depressed partner, and you do not need to stay in the relationship if it's making you unhappy.

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It’s easy to think that depression is ruining your relationship, even if your partner expresses nothing but love and support. Depression famously sucks the joy out of everything in our lives, including our most important relationships. When this happens, we often feel withdrawn and empty. We consider ourselves incapable or undeserving of love, convinced we are a burden on the people around us. This is the illness talking; not the truth. Instead of listening to the cruel voice of depression, here’s what to do when it feels like depression is ruining your relationship.

Why Is Depression Is Ruining My Relationship?

If you think depression is ruining your relationship, the first thing you should do is talk to your partner to find out how they are feeling. You don’t know that depression is ruining your relationship unless you ask your partner to weigh in. It may be that your worries are unfounded, or your partner might welcome the opportunity to talk about how your mental illness is affecting them. Either way, it is best to encourage open communication, whatever feelings and frustrations come to the surface.  

Communication isn’t always easy, however, especially when one partner is depressed. Depression can make you withdraw, and it may seem to your partner as though you have given up on life. Although you can’t help feeling this way, it may come across to your partner that you don’t care, or that you're not interested in them anymore. People who are depressed are often too tired, ashamed or withdrawn to explain that this isn't the case. Often, they are not sure why they are depressed. All of this can be difficult to understand.

Your partner may also feel cheated, and this is understandable because depression is typically not much fun to be around. "Most people fall in love because they are enjoying each other's company and having fun together," says Dan Jones, Ph.D., director of the Counseling and Psychological Services Center at Appalachian State University. When this changes, the relationship can become strained.

Depression and Sexless Relationships

Both depression and antidepressants can affect your sex life. Antidepressants may reduce your libido, meaning they won’t want to have sex as often as you once did. You may also experience physical difficulties with sex, such as erectile dysfunction or trouble achieving orgasm. None of this means you’re not attracted to your partner or are no longer interested in sex. It is purely the result of a chemical imbalance or side-effect of medication. These are common problems, so there are plenty of therapies and medications that can help you get back to a fulfilling sex life.  

If you’re on the other side of a sexless relationship, be careful not to blame your partner or pressure them to have sex. Instead, try to work on this issue together both inside and outside the bedroom. Find ways to make your partner more comfortable and show them that you’re willing to be patient. In relationships where sex is an issue, there is almost always a solution if both partners are willing to do the work. 

Depression and Ruined Relationships: Are Breakups Inevitable?

It is not inevitable that depression will ruin your relationship. This is because it's not depression itself that causes couples to break up, experts say; it is the consequences of not addressing the depression that causes problems. These problems can include:

• Withdrawal and lack of communication
• One or both partners seeking comfort outside the relationship (i.e., an affair)
• Loss of work and money troubles as a result of depression
• Substance abuse or addiction as a method of self-medication
• Loss of physical intimacy

A licensed relationship therapist can help you work through these issues on an individual or couples’ basis. Ask your doctor what services are available in your area and be sure to express any sexual symptoms you’re experiencing so they can provide the appropriate treatment.

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If your boyfriend or girlfriend has depression, you may worry about saying or doing something to add to their pain. You may also fear that you are the reason they are depressed, especially If you’ve told them you want to end the relationship. Mental illness doesn’t work like this, however; and there is rarely one situation or individual to blame when your boyfriend or girlfriend has depression. But what if you want to leave the relationship, but your partner threatens suicide? Here's what to do and where to find support.

My Boyfriend or Girlfriend Has Depression: How Can I Leave?

If your boyfriend or girlfriend has depression, you may be scared to leave the relationship for fear that your partner will harm themselves. Although there a many complex reasons why someone wants to take their own life, it’s surprisingly common for people to blame their relationship breakups for suicidal feelings. When suicide or suicidal thoughts occur, however, there is rarely (if ever) just one factor to blame.

According to recent studies, the main reason behind suicidal thoughts and actions is the presence of major depressive disorder. Other mental illnesses that play a role in suicide include psychosis, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders and substance abuse. It is also common for a person to feel suicidal when facing a sudden change or loss, including:

• The end of a romantic relationship
• Loss of a job or being unemployed
• Financial worries
• Loss of social position or place in a friendship group
• Losing a living situation due to financial strains or the end of a relationship

It is easy to see why a loss (or a culmination of losses) might lead to a person feeling suicidal. So, what do you do when this occurs? Can you really just walk away?

Partner with Depression and Suicide Threats: What to Do

If your boyfriend or girlfriend has depression and threatens to harm themselves, it’s easy to think that staying in the relationship is the right thing to do, especially as you still care about them.

You must understand that your partner’s fault that they are depressed or suicidal. However, it is not your fault either. Threatening suicide to get you to stay in the relationship is a form of emotional abuse: your partner is trying to manipulate you into staying. This may seem like a no-win situation, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your partner.  

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, there are three steps you must take if your boyfriend or girlfriend has depression and threatens suicide:

1. Tell them you care, but state your boundaries
   
   You're not helping anyone by giving into threats and staying in the relationship. You will feel angry and resentful, and your partner deserves to be with someone who stays out of love – not out of obligation. Tell your partner that you care about them and that you understand they're upset, but you have told them what you want, and you must stick to it.
    
2. Pass the responsibility back to your partner
   
   While you can do everything in your power to show them you care and get them the appropriate support, it's not up to you to determine your partner's actions. A relationship should be built on love and trust, not threats. Don't shame or blame your partner; just calmly pass the baton of responsibility back to them.
    
3. Know that you don’t have to prove anything
   
   Your partner may try to manipulate you by saying something like, “If you really cared, you would stop me from killing myself," or “If you were a good person, you would stay.” No matter what your partner says, the kindest and most compassionate thing you can do is to show you care but state your feelings honestly and avoid engaging in conflict. You don’t have to prove anything, and, chances are, it wouldn’t change anything if you did.
   
   If your partner with depression threatens suicide, don't ignore them or think they're bluffing. They might be, but it's always better to err on the side of caution. If your boyfriend or girlfriend is suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or contact your local emergency services.

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Far from fluff stories, depression books are mental health and communication tools that make a positive difference for people living with depression. Books about depression take many forms: novels, memoirs, biographies, self-help, and educational nonfiction. Applying these books to life takes many forms, too. You can use them to help and encourage yourself, and you use them to help others understand your depression.

Officially, when you use books to help your mental health and/or to reach others in some way, it’s called bibliotherapy (therapy through books). Sometimes, books are incorporated into work with a therapist, while other times people read books on their own for information, inspiration, relaxation, or stress relief—all things that contribute to healing from depression. Books can also help you communicate. Describing your own experience with depression can be challenging, and sharing books can help others understand your depression.

We’ve gathered a list of depression books that are great for sharing with someone. You can ask them to read as a way of knowing your experience more deeply. Books increase empathy and understanding, and they are excellent tools for discussion. Sometimes it’s easier to talk about depression in the context of a book rather than having the focus be entirely on you. Let these books help you connect with others for understanding and healing.

Depression Books to Help Others Understand Your Depression and Build Empathy

People connect through stories. Stories, after all, are about people rather than cold, hard facts. From the beginning of humanity, we’ve told stories to teach and connect. Therefore, our list contains books that involve tales and narratives, human accounts of this human illness. Whether memoir (non-fiction) or novel (fiction), each book below accurately portrays life with depression so poignantly that you can simply hand someone a book and say, “This.”

Memoirs about depression

Shoot the Damn Dog by Sally Brampton (2008). Elle magazine founder, Sally Brampton, felt obligated to suffer severe depression in silence until it got the best of her. Her story is frank and open, unabashedly showing anyone who reads her book what depression was like at its worst and inspirationally demonstrating how she reclaimed her life.

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haigh (2016). This story, serious and candid and peppered with humor, is touted for the way it reaches people. Haigh offers inspiration to those living with depression and insight to those who are on the outside of the illness. Readers both outside and inside the world of depression have been touched by this depression memoir.

Still Life: A Memoir of Living Fully with Depression by Gillian Marchenko (2016). Marchenko’s story of depression takes us into her life as a wife and mother. The depression is bad, but it is made worse by the guilt: How can she possibly be good enough for her family when living with this mental illness? If you’ve wondered something similar or have worried that others are thinking this question about you, this book is sure to help.

Willow Weep for Me by Meri Nana-Ama Danquah (1998). How do you live up to a high-pressure stereotype that African American women must be strong, nurturing, caregivers when depression tells you you’re the opposite and robs you of the ability to live the role? Meri Nana-Ama Danquah’s story is her journey; a journey to find an answer to that question. Her memoir transcends culture and time to be impactful for all readers.

Depression novels

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (2016). While by no means an uplifting story, A Little Life is moving and emotional, taking readers deep into Jude’s depression. The story isn’t just about Jude, however. It is about those close to him, their own struggles, and how they try to understand Jude’s illness but have a very difficult time doing so.

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby (2006). Alone and in despair, four people—one at a time—make their way to the roof of a tall building to end their suffering. Each one is surprised to discover that they’re not alone on that roof or in life.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven (2016). This YA Novel is touching, meaningful, and illuminating for teens and adults alike. When you’re living with depression, a normal way to start any day is by wondering if this is the right day to die.

Reading and sharing depression books may just be one of the best forms of therapy and self-help. Connect, enjoy, understand, and grow with these and other stories about living with major depression.

Are you just unhappy in your relationship or depressed? Although there are major differences between unhappiness and depression, it can be hard to differentiate a mental health problem from events happening in your life, particularly if you’re going through major life challenges. While a toxic or unfulfilling relationship can lead to symptoms of depression, this is not the same as having major depressive disorder. Let’s look at the differences between unhappiness and depression in relationships so you can find the best path to recovery.

Help! Am I Unhappy in My Relationship, or Am I Depressed?

Being unhappy in a relationship doesn’t mean you’re depressed. Similarly, having depression present in your relationship doesn’t mean there are other problems in the relationship. Sadness, low self-esteem and anger are all normal human reactions that occur when life doesn’t go as planned. That said, our partners tend to be the people we spend most of our time with, so there is naturally an interplay between our romantic lives and depression.

The "nature vs. nurture" scenario has long been debated by scientists when it comes to the causes of mental health problems, but depression is thought to be caused by a complex set of genetic and environmental factors. Therefore, although a relationship or person alone cannot cause depression, it could certainly act as a trigger.

“Sadness is more or less like a head cold – with patience, it passes. Depression is like cancer.”
― Barbara Kingsolver
 

Signs Your Relationship Is Making You Depressed

So, are you unhappy in your relationship or are you depressed? And can bad relationships even cause depression?

According to MentalHelp.net, any relationship can be hazardous to your health. The problem is, many people don’t know they are in an unhealthy relationship, even though they’re not happy. In situations where emotional abuse is present, for example, the abusive person will often blame all of the problems in the relationship on their partner. If this sounds familiar, you may believe that it’s not the relationship that’s toxic – it’s you. This is just one of the reasons why it’s so difficult to untangle relationship conflict from mental health.

There are, however, some common characteristics of toxic relationships. Here are some signs that your relationship is making you depressed:

• You feel tired, bored and unfulfilled when you are together
• The relationship makes you feel bad about yourself
• You don’t feel safe when you are with your partner. You may even feel physically or emotionally threatened
• You feel like you are the only one trying to “fix” the relationship
• There is a lot of conflict in the relationship
• You often feel anxious, even if you can’t pinpoint why
• Your partner is rarely happy or appreciative
• You feel as though you must change to make your partner happy.

My Relationship Is Making Me Depressed: What Should I Do?

Recognition is the first step towards ending the toxic cycle of an unhappy relationship. This doesn’t necessarily mean terminating the relationship itself, but you do need to talk to your partner and both commit to making a change. It may be possible to work through some of your issues in individual or couples’ counseling. However, both parties must be ready to accept the problem and try to change their behavior.

If symptoms of depression are persistent, despite changes to your relationship or breaking up with your partner, you should consult your doctor.

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Dissociative amnesia can be mistaken for other mental illnesses such as dementia or delirium but, in fact, the definition of dissociative amnesia makes it a diagnosis in its own right and it is a dissociative disorder. Dissociative amnesia involves an inability to recall important personal information in a way that is not explained by another illness or everyday forgetfulness. The definition of dissociative amnesia can be found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, along with all other mental illnesses.

Some people may develop dissociative amnesia as an alternative to suicide. If traumatic memories are recovered in these cases (for example, memories of sexual abuse), without proper treatment these people may be at risk of suicide.

Dissociative Amnesia Symptoms

To reach the level of an official mental illness diagnosis, the symptoms of dissociative amnesia must cause significant distress or impairment in important areas of life such as functioning at work or at home.

According to Medscape, in addition to the condition of distress or impairment, the following are the two main diagnostic dissociative amnesia symptoms:

• A predominant disturbance of one or more episodes of an inability to recall important personal information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature, that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.
• The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of dissociative identity disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder, or somatization disorder and is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance or of another medical condition.

There are five types of dissociative amnesia that further specify dissociative amnesia symptoms and they include:

• Localized amnesia – no memory from a specific time period
• Selective amnesia – partial memory of a particular time period
• Generalized amnesia – a rare form of amnesia wherein the person can't remember his or her whole life including his or her identity
• Continuous amnesia – no memory from the past but is aware of current surroundings
• Systemized amnesia – no memory of a certain category of information such as information about a specific person or place

Dissociative Amnesia and Fugue

In rare cases, a fugue state is associated with dissociative amnesia. Dissociative amnesia and fugue is when a person unexpectedly travels from the home or from work apparently towards a destination (or appearing to be running away from something) and without memory of his or her past or of their identity. Fugue states with dissociative amnesia can last for hours, days, weeks or, in rare cases, even longer. It is estimated that 0.2% of the population has dissociative fugue.

What Causes Dissociative Amnesia?

Typically, a traumatic event or a series of traumatic events cause dissociative amnesia. The more severe the trauma, the more likely the appearance of dissociative amnesia. According to Medscape, common causes of dissociative amnesia include wars, a history of child abuse or sexual abuse, surviving a concentration camp, being a victim of torture and surviving a natural disaster.

Treatment for Dissociative Amnesia

Some cases of dissociative amnesia require treatment in a hospital. These are cases in which the person is a clear and present danger to him or herself or others, when a definitive diagnosis has not been made or when medication effects need professional monitoring. Hospitalization for dissociative amnesia is particularly helpful for patients experiencing current abuse. Dissociative amnesia may spontaneously resolve when a person is removed from a traumatic situation.

Outside of hospitalization, treatment for dissociative amnesia tends to involve psychotherapy. Psychotherapy may be augmented by the use of hypnosis or a drug-facilitated interview to allow a person to be in a state of enhanced calm in which to discuss or discover deeply buried memories.

People with dissociative amnesia also commonly suffer from comorbid (co-occurring) disorders like depression or posttraumatic stress disorder and these disorders, or their symptoms, are typically treated with antidepressants, antipsychotics or anticonvulsants (mood stabilizers).

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Imagine watching depression movies as a form of therapy. When you’re living with major depression, watching films about this often-debilitating illness just might help you. Far from keeping you mired in despair, depression movies can be a tool to help you through. Known as movie therapy, cinematherapy, or film therapy, experiencing videos about depression is an active, and often enjoyable, way to deal with your illness. Here’s a look at movie therapy and a list of depression movies and videos that are must-sees.

Benefits of Film Therapy and Watching Depression Movies

Movies are an all-encompassing experience. They immerse people in a story and the characters because they engage multiple aspects of the brain. Language, visual imagery, special effects, music and sound effects reach the whole person. Movies offer a unique experience of enhancing thinking while simultaneously pulling people out of their own thoughts. Also, movies evoke strong feelings that can lead to catharsis and relief.

Movies about depression offer many benefits to people who live with the illness as well as those who do not. Depression videos gift people with:

• A safe way to talk about their own experiences, in the context of a story and its characters
• Increased understanding about the mental illness and empathy for people living with it (including yourself)
• Enhanced insight about themselves, others, and depression itself
• New perspectives on external events that contribute to their negative thoughts and emotions
• Glimpses into how others solve problems and heal from depression
• A deeper sense of connection with others who are experiencing major depression
• Hope

Sometimes, movie-watching is incorporated into therapy. A counselor might assign a depression movie as homework, and client and counselor will discuss aspects of the film during the next session. Other times, people watch depression movies on their own or with a loved one not as homework but simply to relax and enjoy. Either way, people can grow from watching videos about depression.

Some Must-See Depression Movies to Help You Deal with Depression

A plethora of depression movies exist, which is an indication of just how prevalent and problematic major depression is. This list contains some movies that are especially poignant and powerful in how they speak to and inspire people.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Much more of a film about depression and despair so deep that a businessman with a family feels that he can no longer live than it is a Christmas film (it is that, too, and a good one), It’s a Wonderful Life speaks to viewers deeply. It helps us understand pain, humanity, despair, and, ultimately, hope and transcendence.

It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010)
Suffering from depression, a high school teen stays in a psychiatric hospital. The audience learns lessons and gains perspectives along with this relatable young man.

Cake (2014)
Loss: traumatic loss of her son, later loss of her marriage, loss of her sense of self, and loss of freedom from pain and addiction to painkillers plague a woman, consuming her, and making her angry and depressed. Viewers relate to her and simultaneously like and dislike her, which makes the film so compelling.

Outstanding Depression Videos Worth Watching

Like depression movies, videos reach the whole person and inspire deeper understanding and empathy toward yourself and others. They offer insights and new perspective on the illness as well as overcoming it. While movies are typically fiction, depression videos are often non-fiction. They involve real people dealing with their real illness.

Some depression videos to watch:

A Day in the Life of Depression (2016). In less than two minutes, you may feel that someone has finally accomplished what you’ve been hoping for for a long time: Someone gets it; they understand you and what you’re feeling. Short snippets from real people suffering from depression plus valuable resources and information at the end make this short depression video one to watch more than once.

FIGHT DEPRESSION (2018)
Real people open up about their experience with depression. They share insights, new perspectives, motivation, and inspiration. Because they’re people actually living with depression, the motivations are genuine, not hollow. This shows the despair and hope of people with depression mixed into one film.

What People with Depression Want You to Know. (2016)
Depression is difficult. It’s hard enough for someone living with depression to describe it to themselves, let alone explain it to others. Yet expressing your struggles is an important part of understanding what you’re going through. In this depression video, people share deep thoughts and feelings, revealing what they need: understanding, open minds and hearts, and compassion.

Depression movies and videos offer much in the way of understanding, empathy, perspectives, and inspiration. You might find that adding movie therapy to your treatment approach helps you persevere and overcome depression.

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