How does depression affect the family context?

Depression does not only affect the person who develops it; many times, it also harms his or her family.

Those who have seen depression up close know that this is a psychological disorder that, on many occasions, does not limit its damage only to the person who develops it in their own flesh.

It is true that some people tend to try to hide the fact that they are in a very bad state of mind, but depression usually takes the form of objective facts that attract the attention of those who are part of their close circle, especially if they have known it for a long time. And often, the way in which this psychopathology This psychopathology not only raises a red flag for these people, but also harms them in a more indirect way.in a more indirect way.

In this article we are going to focus on those who spend more time in the company of depressed people, and who are also, normally, those who feel a stronger emotional bond with them: their relatives.

How does having someone with depression affect a family?

It is clear that a single model of family does not exist and that if each person is a world, the unique characteristics of each family unit multiply, since many more own and unrepeatable characteristics come into play.

That is why, both in theory and in practice, no household experiences depression in the same way, no household experiences depression in the same way.

However, the large amount of research that has been done on the effects of this mood disorder means that today we know a number of psychological patterns that, statistically, are relatively frequent in families in which there is someone who has developed depression.

Based on that, here you will find a summary of the way in which this psychopathology affects the family context of the person; but let's keep in mind that this will not happen in all cases, and that the best way to know the impact of depression in a particular group of people is to go to a psychologist, so that this professional analyzes the case in a specific and personalized way.

1. Generates a greater propensity for arguments

Depression often causes problems of coexistence in the family environment.The person expressing these symptoms feels depressed and with little energy, not too willing to get involved in tasks that are not considered essential.

This easily leads to frustration on the part of the family members, who observe in the other person a passivity that they are not always able to understand, and on the other hand it generates irritability in the depressed person, who feels that he/she cannot isolate him/herself as much as he/she would like. The mixture of both elements results in situations of confrontation, which sometimes turns into hostility on both sides.

2. It gives rise to guilt

Guilt is a relatively common feeling in family members family members who are traditionally assigned a protective role with respect to the depressed person: specifically the parents, and sometimes the children.specifically fathers and mothers, and brothers and sisters of similar or older age.

This occurs to a lesser extent in cases where these people are well informed about the characteristics of depression and know that it is a psychopathology whose causes are in most cases beyond the family's control at first. In any case, where this feeling of guilt has appeared, it is important that it is transformed into a willingness to help by collaborating in the therapeutic process as far as possible, rather than leading to self-sabotage and attempts to avoid thinking about the problem.

3. Increased propensity to develop depression

It is clear that depression is not contagious as some medical illnesses are, but it is true that when it is expressed through actions, it is more likely to develop depression. when it is expressed through actions, it can contribute to create contexts that facilitate the appearance of psychological disorders. in those who are exposed to them on a regular basis.

Thus, for example, it has been shown that young sons and daughters of people with depression also have a higher risk of developing it, even taking into account genetic factors.

4. Encourages isolation

Many families feel shame because of the suffering they see in the person with depression, and adopt a lifestyle in which privacy is more highly valued and there is a tendency to seclusion, either total or partial.either total or partial seclusion. For example, families in which someone suffers from depression are less likely to go to social events together.

This, in turn, tends to make it more difficult for the depressed person to recover, as they have access to far fewer stimuli and activities, and less ability to create novel situations with which to connect emotionally.

Are you looking for psychotherapeutic help?

If you believe that you and/or someone in your immediate family is suffering from discomfort that could be caused by depression or some other psychological disorder, please contact us. At Avance Psychologists we have been helping patients with this kind of problems for more than 20 years, and currently in addition to psychotherapy for people of all ages we also offer family and couple therapy, counseling for parents, psychiatric assistance and neuropsychological rehabilitation, and sexology services. In addition, you can count on us both in person at our center located in Madrid, as well as through online therapy. To see our contact details, click on this link.

Bibliographical references:

• American Psychiatric Association -APA- (2014). DSM-5. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Madrid: Panamericana.
• Balaban, C.D.; Thayer, J.F.. (2001). Neurological bases for balance-anxiety links. J Anxiety Disord. 15 (1–2): pp. 53 - 79.
• Bettis, A.H.; Forehand, R.; Sterba, S.K.; Preacher, K.J. & Compas, B.E. (2018). Anxiety and Depression in Children of Depressed Parents: Dynamics of Change in a Preventive Intervention. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 47(4): pp. 581 - 594.
• National Research Council (US) and Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Depression, Parenting Practices, and the Healthy Development of Children; England, M.J. & Sim, L.J. (eds) (2009). Associations Between Depression in Parents and Parenting, Child Health, and Child Psychological Functioning. Washington (DC): National Academies Press.
• Sander, J.B. & McCarty, C.A. (2006). Youth Depression in the Family Context: Familial Risk Factors and Models of Treatment. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 8(3): pp. 203 - 219.