Families and Depression
Depression Impacts Families
Depression is an illness that has a profound impact on family members who live with the person as well as love the person. Depression is an illness that takes many shapes and forms. Some depressed people show subtle signs and symptoms for months before they are officially diagnosed and treated and this early phase can be difficult for everyone in the family. Some people who are depressed withdraw from people and isolate themselves. Some people start to drink heavily or use drugs. Some become irritable and moody and have angry, eruptive outbursts. These behavioral changes can be mystifying for family members who don't know the reason for the change. Also, it is extremely upsetting to be around someone who is withdrawn, morose or angry a great deal.
Depression is an illness which can often afflict numerous people in a family system. It may be that a number of people have been diagnosed for depresssion in the same family or it may be, given how often people never get help, that people are depressed but are not getting necessary treatment. Depressive episodes can be triggered by stressful events (i.e. unemployment, financial worries, illness, marital problems). These psycho-social events can play a powerful role in the onset of a depressive illness. So, not only does the family have to deal with the very real problems in life, but they also have to deal with a depressed person. When family members are perplexed and confused about why their relative is behaving differently, they may become angry with each other and family problems may get exacerbated. It has been noted in numerous research studies that marital problems can not only precipitate depressive episodes but that ongoing marital friction can impede recovery from depression.
The University of Michigan's Depression program is endeavoring to create programs that educate families, involve families in the treatment process, and help to identify other family members who may need counseling or who also may be at risk for developing depression. We will be inviting family members to come to evaluation appointments so that they can share with the professional staff their valuable perspective about the patient and to give us essential history. We hope to be of support to families in their struggle to cope with the disease. We continue to offer periodic workshops for families. Research has shown that educating families is not only helpful to the families but also to the process of recovery. We will provide educational materials about the illness of Depression and teach coping strategies and healthful ways of interacting with each other. If there are specific marital problems, or concerns about children or other family members, referrals to professionals will be made. We will also advise families about various local and national support and advocacy groups. Our goal is to make certain that families get heard and that important concerns get addressed.
- Styron,William . Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness. Random House, 1990.(a narrative account)
- Carter, Rosalynn. Helping Someone with Mental Illness: A Compassionate Guide for Family, Friends and Caregivers. Random House. 1998
