Dealing with a Depressed Family Member

Even if only one member of your family exhibits the signs of depression, the illness affects the entire family. It isn't unusual for family members of a depressed person to begin developing depression symptoms themselves. After all, depression can be triggered by stress, and living with a loved one who displays all the signs of depression is incredibly stressful.

 

 

How should family or friends deal with a depressed loved one? Ignoring the depression won't work – for the safety of the person suffering depression, symptoms should not be ignored. Some people choose to resist the warning signs of depression – telling the depressed person to "suck it in," or "shape up or ship out." Again, this is likely to make symptoms that much worse.

Offering a sympathetic ear may help. Although many people feel that talking about the problem may make things worse, this is rarely the case. Many depressed people lack the energy to seek help for themselves. Instead of waiting to be asked for help, try offering it. And keep your hopes up: most depressive incidents are temporary.

Many people who suffer from depression are hesitant to seek help, thinking that their HMO or doctor will be obliged to share the information with their employer. Rest assured that your medical records and anything that you share with your doctor is confidential information.

The winter blahs are common enough for most of us. We sleep more in the winter, and tend to eat more, too. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, refers to an extreme reaction to the dull days of winter and shorter periods of daylight. Every winter, SAD sufferers exhibit all the signs of depression. Seasonal affective disorder usually tends to start in September, reaches its peak during the darkest months of the year, and then loosens its grip around April, when days start to lengthen again.

The lack of bright light during the winter months affects the brain in those suffering from seasonal affective disorder. To combat the disorder, sufferers can use special light boxes that mimic the sun's rays. As little as half an hour a day of light box therapy (phototherapy) will alleviate SAD symptoms.

Depression occurs in women twice as often as in men. Rates of seasonal affective disorder and chronic depression in women are also higher. While associated alcohol and substance abuse is lower in women, depressed women suffer more often from eating disorders, migraine headaches, and anxiety disorders. Women are also more likely than men to seek help for their symptoms.

Postpartum Depression: Postpartum depression, or simply PPD, is quite common: the disorder affects ten to twenty percent of new mothers. This makes it one of the leading causes of depression in women. Postpartum depression is often confused with the "baby blues" – that feeling of being overwhelmed, combined with the sudden mood swings that occur after the birth of a baby. A week or so of the blues is fairly normal. If symptoms last longer, or if the mother seems likely to harm the baby, she is probably experiencing PPD and immediate medical attention is necessary.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Women with PMDD suffer the symptoms of depression only during the premenstrual period or symptoms become more severe during this period. PMDD is a debilitating condition affecting three to five percent of women and manifests itself as a combination of depression and anxiety coupled with both physical and mental symptoms. Unfortunately, women often mistake PMDD for PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and don't seek help. If you are experiencing debilitating premenstrual symptoms talk with your doctor about treatment.

Resources

American Academy of Family Physicians. (1999, April 15). Postpartum depression and the 'baby blues'. American Family Physician, 59(8), 2259.

Bhatia, S.C., and Bhatia, S.K. (1999, July). Depression in women: Diagnostic and treatment considerations. American Family Physician, 60(1), 225-240.

McManamy, J. (nd). Depression. Retrieved September 21, 2001, from www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/depression.

National Institute of Mental Health. (2001). Mental disorders in America [NIH Publication No. 01-4584].

National Institute of Mental Health. (2001). Let's talk about depression [NIH Publication No. 01-4162].

OutsideIn, Ltd. (1999). SAD information sheet. Retrieved September 21, 2001, from www.outsidein.co.uk/sadinfo.htm.