Disease-related numbness Depression is a burden on partnership and family

Depression: Massive consequences of the disease on partnership and family

More and more people suffer from depression. The mental illness does not only burden the affected person, but often also has a massive effect on partnership and family. Health experts point out that the withdrawal and numbness of the depressed are illness-related.

Number of people with depression is increasing

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people with depression worldwide has increased significantly. In this country more and more people are affected by the mental illness. According to the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry (MPI), studies have shown that at least 15 percent of the population suffer from depression during their lifetime. The disease not only affects the patients themselves, but often also has a massive impact on family and partnership.

Depression is not only a burden on those affected, but often also affects relationships and family. Experts explain what relatives should consider. (Image: boryanam / fotolia.com)

Burden also for the relatives

As the German Depressionshilfe Foundation writes in a recent release, the disease is a major burden on the relationship between the partnership and the family:

The second "Germany Barometer Depression" by the Foundation German Depressionshilfe and Deutsche Bahn Foundation shows that 84 percent of the patients have withdrawn from social relationships during their depression.

The representative survey has examined attitudes and experiences of depression in the population.

A total of 5,000 people between the ages of 18 and 69 were surveyed from an online panel for the German population in private households.

Half of those affected have problems with the partnership

Almost three-quarters (72 percent) of respondents diagnosed with depression describe no connection to humans during the illness.

This has far-reaching consequences, with half of those affected reporting effects on the partnership. Forty-five percent of them have experienced a separation due to depression.

"The high number of separations shows what a profound illness depression is," says Prof. Ulrich Hegerl, Chairman of the German Depression Assistance Foundation.

"People suffering from depression lose their drive, their interest, and they are internally dead, without any attachment to other people or their environment," says the expert.

"They pull back and see the entire everyday life as through black glasses. All of these illness-related changes have a massive impact on partnership and family relationships, "explains Hegerl.

"That's why depression is often the cause and not the result of partnership conflicts."

However, some of those affected also report retrospectively on positive experiences: 36 percent of those affected stated that the mental illness even deepened and consolidated the relationship with the partner.

"Overcoming the great suffering that causes depression can lead to a growing together," explains Hegerl.

Knowledge gaps in relatives lead to incomprehension and misinterpretations

As the message states, the Germany Barometer Depression 2018 also provides data on the experiences of relatives:

Thus, 73 percent develop guilt feelings towards their sick partner and feel responsible for his illness and recovery.

Almost one in three relatives (30 percent) said they did not feel well informed about the depression.

Affected persons who have experienced the effects of the disease on the partnership, therefore, report above all to have felt misunderstood and accusations from their partner (84 percent).

"It becomes clear that there is a great need for education about relatives and acquaintances," Dr. Christian Gravert, Project Manager Health Issues at the Deutsche Bahn Foundation and Chief Physician of the Deutsche Bahn.

Detect alarm signs of the disease

It is helpful to recognize the first alarm signs of depression in order to react to the disease as early as possible.

According to health experts, depression can take many different forms. The disease can begin slowly or it can happen suddenly, like a bolt of lightning.

Typical symptoms include moodiness, sleep disorders, poor concentration, fatigue, irritability, slowness of movement, lack of appetite and weight loss, and hopelessness, as well as the inability to emotionally participate in events in the immediate environment.

Often there are daily fluctuations, typically the depression is more pronounced in the morning than in the afternoon.

The interest in normally positively toned activities has died away, it almost always lacks sexual desire and inability to engage in sexual activity.

In severe cases, the hopelessness is so pronounced that the will to live disappears and suicidal thoughts occur, to the planning and execution of suicide attempts.

Retreat and numbness are due to illness

Many relatives are not sure how best to deal with depressives. Prof. Hegerl advises them: "Accept the depression as a disease that can hit anyone!", Says the expert.

"And get informed - because who does not know what depression is will misclassify the withdrawal and lack of attention of the diseased partner. It is not lovelessness or even bad will, but a sign of the disease. "

Relatives can best support them by organizing an appointment with the doctor and, if necessary, accompanying the person concerned there. Because in depression, those affected often lack the strength and hope to seek help.

Hegerl also emphasizes: "Depression can not be treated with affection alone, but requires medical help. It is important that relatives and friends know their own stress limits and also organize support. "(Ad)