Mental illness, including depression, is something every person must face and manage in their own way. But it also impacts relationships with friends, family — and particularly partners.
Those closest to someone living with depression can be a huge source of love, comfort, and support. But they can often feel enormous pressure.
Couples face a higher chance of divorce when one or both partners has a mental health condition. A 2011 multinational studyTrusted Source found a 12 percent increase in the prevalence of divorce.
But there’s also good news. That difference isn’t generally the result of fault on the part of either partner. Rather, it comes from how they interact and communicate, and how both partners approach the symptoms of the illness. This means there’s a lot you can do to help your relationship beat the odds.