Couples Disease: The Experience of Living with a Partner with Chronic Depression

This study is concerned with the impact of chronic depression on partners. Thirteen male and female participants who lived with a partner with chronic depression were interviewed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings highlighted a need for caregivers to be more centrally involved in their partner’s care, given that they face stigma, shifts in role identity and uncertainty which all potentially threaten the level of support they can give their partner. In this sense depression might be described as a ‘couples’ disease’ suggesting that couples therapy and group support for partners should be more widely available to help reduce the burden on partners and potentially prevent relationship breakdown.