Other people are going to answer this differently, I suspect... but it really depends on the relationship.

I've had a few big blocks of depression in my life -- some major, some minor.

I have felt alienated from others in general when I was severely depressed. When it's that severe, I can't emotionally connect to others, from my SO to my friends etc. I am stuck in my own head, and viewing everything through depression-tinted glasses. I begin to view everything negatively, and that includes my relationships... Even if they were okay, running smoothly before, I begin inflating the faults and imperfections in them.

That said, I've also had one major depressive episode that was triggered by my then (now ex) husband doing things which hurt me, and repeatedly not responding to requests to change his ways. He broke his commitment to me (and even to himself).

Without getting into all the details, I was on antidepressants, seeing a therapist, and endlessly depressed and frustrated with my life while dealing with this relationship. One day, though, I sorta 'woke up' and decided I'd had enough.

He really wasn't going to change. I told him I wanted a divorce. I felt very sad, sure -- but after a couple of weeks while he prepared to box his things and move out, I began feeling better. I stopped my antidepressants and felt even more like my old self after that (I continued therapy).

While it was hard, I knew I had made the right decision. A weight was lifted off my shoulders.

Based on my experience, I've learned I have to be careful not to blame my depression for my view of everything, and spend serious amounts of time thinking about how I got depressed in the first place. If there are solid reasons I can point to for continuing to be depressed -- even while in treatment -- change is needed.

Historically, my depression seems to be more situational than biological. I mostly get depressed due to being stressed for a long time in a situation that seems to never end or find closure. I don't seem to get the kind of depression when everything in life is going fine -- wonderful even -- and I can't figure out for the life of me why I still feel like crap.

So for me, it is probably prudent to take a step back and review what's happening in my life and change it more often than not.