Can dating cause depression?

Dating can be enjoyable, but it can also be really difficult at times.  There is a certain amount of vulnerability that goes into dating, and when you are vulnerable, it can make the pain associated with dating that much harder.  It is important to consider how anything can cause depression if you are putting too much stock into it and not putting energy towards other things that can bring value to your life.  It is also important to affirm that some sadness is only natural when certain difficult things occur with dating.  However, as you face the sadness that might naturally come, having a balance of other things in your life that bring value to it can help you cope with the sadness.  For example, if someone is dating and is rejected by someone they like and have friends to vent about, they will be more likely to heal and cope with that than someone who isolates themselves. 

One of the most difficult parts of dating is dealing with rejection.  Again, it never feels good to be rejected, but as you navigate the dating world, it can be helpful to think through your ways of coping with rejection.  Things like focusing on your value, how everyone is different, etc., can help you heal from the rejection and move forward.  If you focus too much on rejection, it can easily slide into a depression, so try to be cautious about that. 

We all have a certain capacity when it comes to being able to be vulnerable with others and also dealing with rejection.  It is important to check in with yourself if you have reached capacity or not. If you have, it is okay and healthy to take a break and recharge before reentering the dating world again.  Also, sometimes making a pros and cons list with dating can help you check in about whether or not dating is worth it to you at the moment. If you can do all of these things, you can hopefully enjoy the dating world and keep yourself from falling into a depression around dating.