Together but Alone: The Loneliness of Spouses Caring for a Partner with Mental Illness

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20051376

Divya Mishra, Shreyansi Yadav, and Mona Srivastava (Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)

This article examines the profound loneliness experienced by spouses who care for partners with mental illness, highlighting the emotional, relational, and societal burdens of caregiving. It explores how the caregiving role often transforms marital dynamics, leading to emotional exhaustion, identity loss, and diminished intimacy. The text examines various dimensions of loneliness-emotional, social, and intimate-within the spousal context, highlighting the impact of stigma, role shifts, and a lack of reciprocal emotional support. Gender disparities, particularly in collectivist societies like India, are discussed to reveal how cultural norms intensify the burden for women. The chapter also addresses coping mechanisms, distinguishing between adaptive and maladaptive strategies, and underlines the protective role of social and spiritual support. It concludes by advocating for inclusive, gender-sensitive, and culturally informed mental health interventions to support caregiving spouses better and restore relational balance.