Pooja Banga
Mental health is one of the most important aspects of overall health and welfare. It encompasses emotional wellness as well as psychological and social well-being, which can give strength to recover from physical issues as well. Our minds and bodies are interconnected in many ways. Being mentally ill negatively affects not only our mood, thinking, and behavior, but our overall physical health as well.
In married life, if one’s partner is suffering from mental illness, it can be challenging for the relationship. Mental health struggles may bring breakdown in a relationship since more responsibilities fall on the spouse without mental illness than before, and they also can be subjected to multiple risks, including stress and the burden of care, though he/she may not express it. It may affect other family relationships as well, while creating misunderstandings and communication gaps. At this extreme, it may make a person have second thoughts about continuing the relationship or marriage.
While one may have many people around them suffering from poor mental health, watching one’s life partner suffer from it is quite something else, and also a miserable feeling. It can be very painful to witness the person we love the most in a devastating and demotivating state. Overlooking the mental health of a life partner will not just impact the normal functioning of the marital relationship, but it might also lead to various psychiatric disorders and other problems such as depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse, sleep problems, personality disorders, panic disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease. But, before one can help them, it is also important to identify whether the partner is actually suffering from clinical depression or whether these are merely mood swings.
Below are five signs to look for in your partner if you feel or suspect that they are going through a mental health issue:
Your partner feels miserable most of the time
Feeling miserable is an awful state where one is not happy even when everyday life is normal around them. On the inside, there are so many emotions emerging, and one might be constantly struggling to understand what has their world upside down. One might be trying their best, but in many cases, they might be just unable to find the positive vibes in their life at the moment. If one’s partner is coping with such feelings most of the time, it is a warning sign that he/she is going through mental health struggles but keeping it under wraps.
Your partner feels confused
A person might be in confusion when he/she can’t think clearly, feels disoriented, and has a hard time making decisions. If one feels that their partner has been experiencing a lack of ability to focus their attention and awareness, it may be a sign that they are suffering from mental health struggles.
Reduced ability to concentrate
Sometimes, you may be having an important conversation with your partner and expect them to participate actively and compassionately, like they once did. However, you may see that they are lost in their own world and not paying attention to the conversation. This reduced ability to think and understand at crucial times and otherwise could be the indication of a mental health illness.
Excessive fears and worries
Mental illnesses can cause excessive fears or phobias. People with mental health disorders frequently have intense and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations and may also experience sudden anxiety and fear that can reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). If one often notices these signs in one’s partner, then it’s a sign of mental health struggles. While we all may feel fear in certain common situations, anxiety and fears that are out of control and threaten our lives are associated with mental health illnesses.
Withdrawal from important relationships and marriage
The absence of a partner’s love and attention to detail not only leaves one feeling distressed but can lead to tiffs and spats. If there aren’t any conflicts in a marriage and still one partner is feeling withdrawn, it may be a sign of a mental health disorder. It can also have an impact on the person’s relationships with others. If a partner is withdrawing from other important relationships in their lives, like the relationships with their children, parents, siblings, etc., this is another sign of a mental health struggle.
The bond of marriage is not just one of the most beautiful things; it is also considered the most intimate relationship. A lot of love, understanding, and compassion are needed in a marital relationship for it to be satisfying. A spouse is someone that one marries with the promise of everlasting love, companionship, and understanding. Once one knows that his/her spouse is sad or going through a difficult time, one shouldn’t leave them deserted or neglect their mental health, as it can lead to depression and other serious mental health disorders. It is important to take charge and be responsible. Since we are talking about your life partner, it is definitely worth the effort.
