When a loved one experiences loss, depression, or emotional burnout, relationships inevitably change. One partner becomes emotionally "unavailable," while the other tries to compensate, expending their own energy. At this point, it's easy to undervalue oneself, take on the role of "savior," or lose emotional connection. Often, alongside caregiving, feelings of guilt, loneliness, and fatigue arise.

LIGA.net I spoke with Ellina Ilyinikh, a certified psychotherapist in the method of positive psychotherapy, a support group leader, and a psychologist at the "Unbreakable" mental recovery center from the "Masha Fund," to find out:

  • How to be a support for your partner without devaluing yourself?
  • Where is the line between empathy and burnout?
  • And how to maintain a healthy dynamic in a relationship during a crisis?

How does the dynamics of a relationship change when one of the partners is going through a crisis?

Crises such as loss, depression, or burnout of one partner are a difficult test for the relationship system as a whole. Even if the loss or depression affects only one partner, both find themselves in a new reality where their roles, expectations, and resources change, explains... LIGA.net expert Ellina Ilyinikh.

– A crisis triggers a wave of change in a couple's relationship. The person experiencing the crisis often withdraws, becomes emotionally "unavailable," irritable, indifferent, or closed off. This is a new experience for both, and new experiences are always frightening.

Photo: Ellina Ilyinikh

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