Relationship Related Depression - 4 Signs it is Not All You
Depression is a difficult condition common for many in our high stressed and fast paced society.
It can be caused by many things -- unresolved events of the past, current stressful life circumstances, or even a brain chemistry issue.
One cause that is often missed is the status and health of our intimate relationships.
A toxic or psychologically abusive relationship can leave us down and depressed.
Because of the nature of emotional and psychological abuse, we may well be blaming ourselves and looking for causes within ourselves, when the biggest issue may be the negative programming we are receiving from the abuser.
Here are 4 signs your depression may be more than just a problem with you: 1.
Your partner puts you down, publicly or privately.
These insults and criticisms may be blatant or subtle, but all have the effect of making you feel worthless, sad, and inferior to your partner.
This tactic is designed to keep you feeling off balance and dependent on the abuser.
Your partner may be directly or indirectly sending you the message that you are lucky to have him or her, with the implied threat that if you break things off, no one else will want you.
2.
Your partner attempts to control your activities and limit your contacts with family and friends.
Isolating you and requiring you to give account and justification for your day's activities again serves the purpose of controlling you and preventing you from feeling independent and worthwhile on your own.
In addition, if you are kept away from other loved ones, you are less likely to receive contrary messages about you or negative perspectives on your relationship.
3.
Your partner uses sex and intimacy against you.
Rather than being a loving expression of care and concern, and a desire to provide and share in pleasure, your partner may either choose to withhold affection that you want from you, or demands that you fulfill his or her desires with no regard for your state of mind or well-being.
Either tactic is a method of control.
4.
Your partner may make other implied non-physical "threats" if you do not comply with the abuser's needs and wants.
This may also be peppered with occasional and random rewards for good behavior, which serves the function of keeping you off balance and drawing you back in, hopeful that the kindness will continue.
It can be caused by many things -- unresolved events of the past, current stressful life circumstances, or even a brain chemistry issue.
One cause that is often missed is the status and health of our intimate relationships.
A toxic or psychologically abusive relationship can leave us down and depressed.
Because of the nature of emotional and psychological abuse, we may well be blaming ourselves and looking for causes within ourselves, when the biggest issue may be the negative programming we are receiving from the abuser.
Here are 4 signs your depression may be more than just a problem with you: 1.
Your partner puts you down, publicly or privately.
These insults and criticisms may be blatant or subtle, but all have the effect of making you feel worthless, sad, and inferior to your partner.
This tactic is designed to keep you feeling off balance and dependent on the abuser.
Your partner may be directly or indirectly sending you the message that you are lucky to have him or her, with the implied threat that if you break things off, no one else will want you.
2.
Your partner attempts to control your activities and limit your contacts with family and friends.
Isolating you and requiring you to give account and justification for your day's activities again serves the purpose of controlling you and preventing you from feeling independent and worthwhile on your own.
In addition, if you are kept away from other loved ones, you are less likely to receive contrary messages about you or negative perspectives on your relationship.
3.
Your partner uses sex and intimacy against you.
Rather than being a loving expression of care and concern, and a desire to provide and share in pleasure, your partner may either choose to withhold affection that you want from you, or demands that you fulfill his or her desires with no regard for your state of mind or well-being.
Either tactic is a method of control.
4.
Your partner may make other implied non-physical "threats" if you do not comply with the abuser's needs and wants.
This may also be peppered with occasional and random rewards for good behavior, which serves the function of keeping you off balance and drawing you back in, hopeful that the kindness will continue.
Source...