How is Depression Affecting Your Relationships?

Depression is a psychological disorder listed in the DSM-5 that is primarily characterized by consistent feelings of sadness and a lack of enthusiasm for activities, along with a generally low mood. Potential additional symptoms might include changes in appetite, feelings of despair, sleep disruptions, and problems with focus. In order to be formally diagnosed with major depressive disorder, the person must have been experiencing these symptoms of depression continuously for a minimum of two weeks.

Depression is a prevalent mental health disorder that affects more than 280 million people globally, yet the consequences it has on the individuals experiencing it and their loved ones are often misunderstood. If you're questioning whether depression is communicable, it may be beneficial to consider psychological data.

Can Depression be Passed on to Others?
Depression isn't infectious in the conventional sense, resembling how you would contract a cold or flu virus. Nevertheless, specialists suggest that our actions, word selection, and mood can impact those we interact with. For instance, similar to how your mother's sunny demeanor might improve your mood, you might also unwittingly mirror her walking style. Similarly, you might find yourself adopting your partner's method of folding towels, or their propensity for getting frustrated in sluggish supermarket queues.

Being social creatures, humans regularly adopt behavioral patterns of those they engage with. The longer you are in someone's company, the more their actions can influence you. Consequently, spending time around a person exhibiting signs of depression increases the likelihood of you sensing these cues and possibly developing depressive symptoms yourself.

What Makes Mood "Infectious?"

Though further research is necessary to fully understand the precise mechanisms through which individuals adopt the emotions and moods of others, current studies suggest several potential explanations.

The mirror neuron system in the brain may be a possible neurological explanation for emotional contagion. Brain research has revealed that when individuals witness emotionally-driven actions by others, specific neurons become activated. The observer often simulates this reaction, interpreting and experiencing it as their own emotion, which can subsequently be passed on to others.

Interpreting Emotions
You might attribute certain mental understandings when you witness a person's speech or actions. These perceptions can be different from person to person. As an example, if you have affection for someone, you may link their behaviors to positive or beneficial meanings. Conversely, if you have a negative perspective of them, you may wish to refrain from behaving like them.

The capacity of a person to feel or understand others' emotions might bring about advantages. But, this could also be problematic if they resonate excessively with someone suffering from depression, as they could potentially also experience similar depressive symptoms due to their empathetic connections.

In both face-to-face interactions and through online mediums such as social media, it's common for people to measure themselves against others. These types of comparisons can often inform your sense of self-value, which could negatively affect your emotional health.

Factors Predisposing One to External Influence
Depression isn't infectious in the traditional sense, but certain aspects could increase a person's vulnerability to influence from others, such as:

- A hereditary susceptibility to depression.

- A background of affective disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, or addiction problems.

- Encountering close family members or others with depression during childhood.

- Present high-stress levels induced by significant life occurrences or transitions.

- Patterns of seeking reassurance.

- A tendency towards anxious attachment.

- Persistent health issues.

- Previous negative experiences.

People can potentially be affected by the emotional states of those they engage with, and research indicates that this impact might extend up to three levels of relationship connection. For example, if a friend of your partner is suffering from depression, you may also be susceptible to experiencing similar symptoms.

How Does "Mirrored" Depression Manifest Itself?
If you're unfamiliar with depression, the signs and symptoms might catch you off guard. For example, you might find it challenging to focus on routine activities, along with experiencing a sense of despair. Other symptoms can encompass:

Feelings of guilt

Anxiety

Pessimistic thoughts

Feelings of irritation or dissatisfaction

Emotional fluctuations

Noticeable alterations in sleep or diet patterns

Steps to Take If You Think You Might be Depressed
When you become aware that a person in your life may be dealing with depression, it's natural to want to help and guide them. Nonetheless, it's crucial also to pay attention to your own psychological health and welfare. It's not accurate to call a depression "infectious," yet it's possible for symptoms to resonate with you after a triggering conversation or event. 

Noticeable shifts in sleep or food routine.
Think about whether you might need to alter or cultivate new ways of engaging with them if their behavior often influences your mood. It could be crucial for your mental health to create a distance and establish limits. The course of your actions may also rely on the type of relationship you have with the person. For example, if it's a partner or a child, your lives might be deeply connected, which could lead to you deciding to play a more proactive role in their treatment.

Here are some additional strategies to mitigate the effects of emotional mirroring. 
Engage in Mutual Self-Care 

Activities such as physical workouts, mindfulness meditation, and pursuing shared hobbies serve as self-care practices that could be beneficial for both you and those close to you. These practices may bring more value if you engage in them together, offering mutual support. This joint participation in self-care may help maintain consistency and the mood enhancement could confer additional benefits.

Joining a support group could assist in managing your emotions and forming coping mechanisms. It might be comforting for some to listen to others who share similar experiences. You could locate a support group in your vicinity via your healthcare provider, a faith-based establishment, or entities such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Aside from in-person gatherings, there may also be online communities that you can participate in.

Steer Clear of Destructive Influences
Owing to various media outlets, numerous individuals are submerged in pessimistic portrayals, manipulated pictures, and standards of perfection. This can potentially instill a feeling of inadequacy, as if these set levels are impossible to achieve. If you witness a deterioration in your state due to the media you interact with, consider slowing down or immersing yourself in more uplifting narratives and interactions. Feel free to dissociate from profiles on social networking platforms that stir up feelings of rivalry or inadequacy.

Get Professional Help

If the individual affecting your mental state is someone you're close to or regularly interact with, personal counseling can often handle feelings of depression effectively. A therapist specializing in depression management can be found either through your healthcare provider or by browsing an online psychology directory to find professionals who accept your insurance or handle specific disorders.

Approaches to Therapy 
According to surveys, about 10% of adults in America suffer from some form of depression. While self-care, managing stress, and steering clear from negativity may alleviate symptoms, these changes alone can't overcome depression.

Should you, or a loved one, be in need of support to handle depression or any other mental health challenge, seeing a therapist or counselor could be beneficial. The increased use of online therapy has helped minimize some of the hindrances to treatment faced by many dealing with depression, including problems getting out of the house or a tendency to isolate oneself.

ReachLink and similar platforms connect users with certified online mental health professionals who specialize in addressing depression and other related issues. Online therapy offers you the flexibility to have sessions at your convenience from home or any place with an internet connection. You also have the option to communicate with a psychotherapist through a phone call, online messaging, or video conferencing.

Summary

Though depression symptoms may differ among people, a lot of individuals can find solace in talk therapy. When you proactively seek help, you can acquire vital coping mechanisms to regulate your mental health, assist others, and establish beneficial boundaries in relationships. Think about connecting with a local or online therapist to begin your journey.