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Depression and Relationships: 3 Ways Treating Depression Will Improve Your Relationship
Melissa Welby, MD
Depression is a thief that will try to rob you of self-esteem, pleasure, and energy. In return, it will give you a lens of negativity to view the world through. This depressive filter leads to distorted perceptions of self and others and has the ability to magnify everything that isn't positive, getting in the way of the connections you might want to make with others. But depression and relationships don't have to be mutually exclusive. While it's harder to nurture a romantic relationship when feeling down, finding the right treatment will benefit your relationships, and feeling better helps you gain the ability to build the intimacy and natural connections that can make your life better.
Major Depressive Disorder and Relationships: How Treatment Can Help
When you can remove the tainted lens of depression, things are naturally brighter, and your energy isn't in such short supply. Here's a closer look at three ways treating depression will benefit your relationship
1. Improve Your Ability to Connect with Others
Withdrawal and avoidance are frequent byproducts of depression. At times, the effort it takes to interact with others feels insurmountable. Reduced energy, sadness, self-doubt, and skewed perceptions get in the way. Depressive thoughts play on repeat, clouding the ability to engage with others. This withdrawal can lead to a growing distance in your relationships, and each person involved can feel more isolated.
But with treatment, spending time with others begins to feel more comfortable. As the volume of the negative tapes is reduced, there's more room to hear other thoughts. It becomes easier to be present and engaged in the relationship.
2. Reduce Irritability and Conflict
When the negatives in life become magnified and the positive parts minimized, people are naturally less easy-going. In this state, it can be hard to let annoyances go. Something that wouldn't have been a big deal before depression can now feel intolerable.
As depression fades, this heightened level of irritability and sense of conflict should go away. When feeling well, it's easier to see people in a balanced, nuanced light and hold the good with the bad. Pleasure and enjoyment can return to the relationship.
3. Rediscover the Satisfaction of Mutually Enjoyed Activities
Prior to depression, you and your partner may have had an active social life, relished traveling together, and cooked fancy meals. But now, negative thoughts and feelings are all-consuming, so ordering takeout and watching a movie on the couch is the most you can muster.
With treatment, activities that used to be pleasurable begin to feel rewarding again, and previous levels of energy and enthusiasm return. Joining together to participate in mutually enjoyed activities strengthens the connection and reminds you both why you chose the relationship in the first place.
Depression and Relationships: A Time for Support
Because depression causes difficulties connecting and communicating, outside support for both partners can help mitigate the effects of depression on the relationship. It's exhausting to navigate depression symptoms, and it's also hard to worry about the mental health of the person you love. Individual and couples therapy can speed up recovery and help identify patterns that get in the way of moving forward.
If you've tried several treatment strategies and are still experiencing depression, know that you are not alone and that there is hope for relief. Taking time to consider the questions posed above will help you feel more confident about your path forward, but don't hesitate to schedule a no-cost consultation to have more of your questions answered.
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We’ve all heard the common health-related misconceptions or myths-- chocolate causes acne, carrots will improve your night vision, and cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis. Subscribing to these particular myths is relatively harmless, but other health-related misconceptions can have far more serious consequences. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. Because untreated depression can have a serious physical and psychological impact, it’s imperative to have the right information in order to make the best decisions for yourself and for your health. Here are 5 common misconceptions about depression, and the facts behind them:
Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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