How Can Treatment For My Depression Help My Family?

Depression can hurt not only you, but everyone in your family. As the symptoms impact your daily interactions with them, it can take a toll on your relationships. When you fail to perform your duties, life becomes more difficult for them. There are a number of negative possibilities for your family if you stay depressed for a long time. These make your depression and treatment not just your concern: it is a family matter that needs to be promptly addressed.

In What Ways Can Your Depression Hurt Your Loved Ones?

  • Your depressive symptoms can strain family relationships. The symptoms of depression, such as anhedonia (losing interest in things that used to matter in your life), social withdrawal, and irritability can make it difficult for you to behave pleasantly when interacting with your family, and vice versa. You may withdraw from family activities and snap at others for no justifiable reason at all.
  • They can have difficulty encouraging you to seek and sustain treatment. When you are depressed, you may lose interest in seeking professional help to improve your condition. Since your family members want you to feel better, they will feel compelled to inspire you to seek treatment or intervention. Taking committed action can ease the tension at home.
  • They are encumbered with your responsibilities. If you are a parent and are not doing your share of child rearing work, household chores, etc., another family member—your spouse, an older child, a parent, or a sibling—may have to take it on. This can encumber your loved ones and cause them to miss out on opportunities.
  • The family may financially suffer if you are the breadwinner. If you are the chief income earner, your family is bound to experience financial difficulty when you become clinically depressed.
  • They may also experience depressive symptoms. It isn’t unusual for family members, usually the ones taking the brunt of your depression, to feel depressive too. They can be gripped with guilt because they are unable to provide you the treatment you need. They can feel frustrated because you refuse to see a therapist. They can feel afraid and pained as they helplessly watch your symptoms get worse.
  • They may suffer from social withdrawal. Your family may avoid other people out of shame or in order to take care of you or do your chores, and they may experience negative consequences from the lack of social contact.
  • Your family’s emotional and physical health may also deteriorate. All these effects can impact the health of your family, making them vulnerable to emotional conditions and other ailments.

 

What Is Your Family’s Role in Defeating Depression?

Your family is your support system. Their involvement in your life can make a huge difference in whether you win over this condition and bounce back to a renewed life or not. Know, however, that this can be challenging and isolating for them. If you are depressed, you can help your family by submitting to treatment. In return, a resilient and emotionally healthy family can help you in your struggle against depression.

Studies reveal that just as family members can support you through treatment, they can also contribute to the worsening of your depression. In fact, the condition can go downhill if caregivers express antagonism, criticism, and excessive concern. David Miklowitz, a psychology professor at the University of Colorado, says that “an atmosphere of high expressed emotion multiplies the chance of relapse two to three times.”

 

Where Can You and Your Family Find the Help to Win over Depression?

With some help, your family can be your strongest supporters to get back on track. They can offer you inspiration and hope, motivate you to keep socializing, and stay beside you when the symptoms are too grueling. Most importantly, they can take an active role in your treatment. This is why you need them to be strong and stable.

You can bounce back from depression and help your family stay strong through this crisis. Start by finding the right help from an independent counselor or therapist contracted with Carolina Counseling Services — Pinehurst, NC.

You and those supporting you may all suffer under the strain and challenges of depression. Unfortunately, depressive symptoms may not just dissipate without treatment. Before any of you succumb to the impact of depression, call Carolina Counseling Services — Pinehurst, NC. The right independently contracted therapist can help you pull through.

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