Your relationship should make you feel loved, safe, confident and support your dreams but sometimes relationships can take a toll on our mental health. Depression is a serious mental health issue that can affect anyone, and sometimes the way our relationship works can make it worse.

This guide will help you recognise some signs that might be the reason for your depression and anxiety. If you find yourself in these situations, you need to work on your relationship.

And you don’t need to suffer alone, you can get professional help like a marriage counsellor online. These professionals can be a safe person to talk to about what’s going on with your relationship. These therapists can help you figure out healthy ways to deal with these situations and how to get your relationship and life on track.

7 Signs Your Relationship Is Making You Depressed

When You Feel Like You Don’t Have Support or Encouragement

Your relationship should make you strong and encourage you to do things in life you love. Your partner should be your biggest cheerleader, celebrating your victories and helping you overcome life challenges. Unfortunately, some relationships lack this essential part.

Here are a few signs that your partner may not be providing the support you need:

  • Not taking your goals seriously and may even discourage you from pursuing them.
  • Your partner focuses on the potential for failure rather than offering encouragement and motivation.
  • Your efforts are going unnoticed, and your partner doesn’t acknowledge your hard work.
  • Your weaknesses are constantly being pointed out, making you feel inadequate and undermining your self-esteem.
  • Your partner may be dismissive of your creative endeavours and not show a genuine interest in your passions.

Constant Criticism and Belittlement

If you’re constantly being criticised and belittled by your partner, it can take a toll on your mental health and self-esteem. Here are a few ways that this negativity can show up:

  • Your partner is always pointing out your flaws and making you feel bad about yourself.
  • They make fun of you or put you down in front of others.
  • Jokes that are meant to be funny target your insecurities and make you feel worse.
  • Your partner might use sarcasm to make you feel dumb or inadequate.
  • They might dismiss your opinions or ideas, making you feel like your thoughts don’t matter.
  • You might feel like you’re constantly walking on eggshells, afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing.

Emotional Isolation and Neglect

If you’re in a relationship where you can not share your emotions with your partner and you feel alone and live like roommates, then you need to fix this. Humans are social creatures and we crave emotional connections, we want to share our feelings with others whether it’s our strong part or our vulnerabilities.

If we lack emotional connection in our relationship, I can shut down those emotions in your subconscious mind and over the period, it can lead to depression and anxiety.

If your partner is not available to have deep conversations, it can make you feel unseen and unheard.

Stonewalling during an argument or conflict can also make you feel frustrated and unheard. And having your feeling dismissed by your partner can make you feel like your statements don’t matter.

But you don’t need to suffer alone, you can go for relationship counselling. PsychiCare is one of the best online marriage counselling websites worldwide and helps couples fix relationship issues.

Walking on Eggshells

When you’re always worried about making your partner upset, it can make you feel really tired and sad. It’s like you’re always being super careful around them because you never know what might make them mad. This can make you feel really bad inside. Here are some ways this kind of relationship can make you feel even worse:

  • If your partner has sudden and explosive outbursts of anger, the unpredictability can create a constant sense of anxiety and fear, making it difficult to relax and feel safe.
  • Additionally, excessive jealousy or possessiveness can make you feel controlled and suffocated, which is unhealthy in a relationship.
  • Lastly, while some reassurance is normal, an insatiable need for validation from your partner can be emotionally exhausting.

Loss of Interest in Activities You Once Enjoyed

If you stop liking things you used to love, it could mean you’re feeling really sad. But if your relationship makes you stop doing stuff you enjoy or keeps you away from friends, it can make you feel even worse. Here are some ways a relationship might make you lose interest in things you like:

  • If your partner belittles your hobbies or interests, it can make you feel guilty for spending time on activities outside the relationship.
  • This negativity can slowly erode your motivation to engage in these activities.
  • If your partner constantly expects you to spend all your free time together, it can leave you feeling drained and stunt your personal growth.
  • Strong social connections are essential for mental well-being. If your partner discourages you from spending time with loved ones, it can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can worsen depression symptoms.

Difficulty Making Decisions and Feeling Withdrawn

If you find it hard to choose things and you feel like being alone a lot, it could be because you’re feeling really sad. But some relationships can make these feelings even stronger. Here are some ways a relationship might make you have trouble deciding and feel like being by yourself:

  • Controlling behaviour from your partner can leave you feeling powerless and unable to make choices for yourself.
  • If your partner discourages your independence and personal growth, it can lead to a loss of self-confidence in your decision-making abilities.
  • Isolation from friends and family can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and make it harder to cope with depression symptoms.
  • Constant negativity or criticism from your partner can make you feel like you can’t do anything right, leading to decision fatigue and withdrawal.
  • Lack of support from your partner can make it harder to cope with depression and may worsen feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

One-Sided Effort and Unhealthy Dependence

If your relationship feels like it’s not fair and you give a lot but don’t get much back, it can make you feel really tired and unhappy. Here are some ways this kind of relationship can make you feel even sadder:

  • Constantly seeking reassurance from your partner can be emotionally draining.
  • Neglecting your own needs for your partner’s happiness can lead to frustration and resentment.
  • Fear of abandonment can lead to unhealthy dependence and sacrificing your personal growth and happiness for your partner.
  • Overcompensating for your partner’s lack of effort can lead to feeling unappreciated and undervalued.
  • A partner who prioritizes their own needs at the expense of yours can lead to feelings of neglect and loneliness.

Final Thoughts

If you recognize any of these signs in your relationship, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Relationships can be complicated, and sometimes unhealthy dynamics can develop without us even realizing it. The important thing is to acknowledge these signs and take steps towards a healthier and happier you.

Here are some initial steps you can take:

  • Consider individual therapy: A therapist can provide a safe space to explore your feelings and develop healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with a difficult relationship.
  • Couples counseling: If you’re committed to making the relationship work, couples counseling can be a valuable tool for improving communication and fostering a healthier dynamic.
  • Focus on self-care: Prioritize activities that bring you joy and nourish your emotional well-being. Reconnect with friends and family, pursue hobbies you enjoy, and make time for activities that help you relax and de-stress.