Intimacy difficult for those suffering depression

Depression can be difficult for individuals to deal with. But it often also has devastating effects on people who are close to them, making everything from everyday communication with a spouse to intimate relationships more difficult.

To raise awareness about these often hidden problems, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association have launched a national campaign called "Intimacy and Depression: The Silent Epidemic."

The campaign's free brochure addresses topics such as dealing with sexual disinterest, reconnecting with a partner or spouse and coping with the side effects of antidepressants. For a free brochure, call 800-577-8550 or visit Web sites http://www.aamft.org or http://www.ndmda.org.