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Living With A Depressed Partner, Bridget Logan

Open Access Dissertations

Individuals who live with depressed partners have increased rates of anxiety, depression, and difficult coping. They experience greater burdens of parenting and financial responsibilities, and often feel isolated and restricted. Much of this is similar to what has been termed caregiver burden in the context of other illnesses. This study used qualitative interviews to explore the day-to-day experience of what it is like to live with a depressed partner, as well as to test the fit of the term `caregiver burden' in the context of depression. Participants were seven individuals who were in long-term relationships with depressed partners. Analysis of …