Depression and Relationships

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Alex Green on Pexels.com

Mental health illnesses affect how a person relates to other people. Depression causes a person to have sudden mood changes that are barriers to nourishing long-term relationships. For instance, extreme anger or anxiety can scare away a potential partner. Also, family members may fail to understand that a person is battling depression and distance themselves. Ultimately, a person experiences feelings of loneliness and detachment from loved ones. Nevertheless, people can seek professional interventions like counseling to prevent depression from affecting their relationships.

Many people dealing with mental health issues are unaware of their conditions. Hence, they engage in actions whose consequences are dire but cannot explain why they do so. A person suffering from depression is likely to experience detachment. This feeling is present in how they respond to attempts by their partner to show love. For instance, one may ignore their spouse’s calls because they feel detached. Eventually, this act becomes a habit that could be a deal breaker for the other partner. Also, a depressed person may feel unwanted and unappreciated. Subsequently, they may decide to stay away from loved ones and cut communication. Over time, one experiences extreme loneliness that affects the progression of a relationship (Zhang et al., 2021). Thus, it is critical to seek professional advice if one suspects they are experiencing depression.

Ignoring mental health disorders results in severe consequences. A person suffering from depression can take several actions to prevent the issue from interfering with their relationship. First, one can inform their loved one of their current emotional state. By doing so, the partner understands the situation and supports the person. Secondly, an individual should consult a professional and embrace a treatment plan. Thus, the causes of depression are determined, and its effects are lessened. Consequently, one heals from the condition, leads a fruitful life, and forms healthy relationships.

References

Zhang, Y., Huang, L., Luo, Y., & Ai, H. (2021). The relationship between state loneliness and depression among youths during COVID-19 lockdown: Coping style as mediator. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.701514

The Link Between Weight Gain and Depression

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Andres Ayrton on Pexels.com

Mental health disorders such as depression can result from body image issues. Societal expectations about beauty influence how some people think or view their physical appearance. For instance, an individual may feel less attractive due to their complexion or body size. However, societal beauty standards are not always accurate. People struggling with negative body image issues need assurance that size, skin color, or shape do not dictate attractiveness. If one has negative feelings and thoughts about their physique, they may stop caring for themselves. For example, neglecting skincare routines or overindulging in fast food may become the norm. In the long run, individuals become depressed because their appearance worsens, and salvaging the situation is challenging.

The standards of beauty set by society affect people’s self-esteem. Most media platforms use slender models in advertisements. This move makes plump individuals feel unseen and left out. Further, many enterprises stock small, medium, and large-sized clothing. Thus, plus-size persons encounter difficulties when shopping as they cannot find fitting apparel. Also, some people make snide comments about those with weight issues. Labeling individuals as obese or greedy affect their feelings concerning their appearance (Blasco, 2020). Thus, if one tries to lose weight in an unfavorable environment but it proves challenging, they may become depressed.

There are numerous ways that persons battling mental health issues can find healing. Due to mood fluctuations, some people lack appetite and lose excess weight. However, others overindulge in comfort food. To avoid this, patients battling depression can engage in affirmation activities where they complement themselves. By so doing, an individual assures themselves that despite weighing more, they are still beautiful. Essentially, self-affirmations help in raising esteem. Patients can also attend therapy or counseling sessions to identify the root cause of the problem. Lastly, consulting the doctor enables patients to receive proper diagnoses and prescriptions.

References

Blasco, B. V., García-Jiménez, J., Bodoano, I., & Gutiérrez-Rojas, L. (2020). Obesity and depression: Its prevalence and influence as a prognostic factor: A systematic review. Psychiatry Investigation, 17(8), 715–724. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2020.0099