Marital therapy when one spouse has a primary affective disorder

The authors explain why marital disharmony when one spouse has a primary affective disorder is difficult to treat but suggest that such couples can be treated successfully if the therapist is flexible and sets realistic goals. Because of the variability of the disease and the many unsubstantiated etiologies associated with it, the authors recommend a modified general system theory approach to treatment that includes a combination of psychotherapy and somatotherapy.