Those people who have seen depression up close know that this is a psychological disorder that, in many cases, does not limit its damage only to the person who develops it themselves.
It is true that some people tend to try to hide that they are in a very bad mood, but depression is normally reflected in objective facts that draw the attention of those who are part of their close circle, especially if they have known them for a long time. And often, the way in which This psychopathology not only represents a warning sign for these people, but also harms them. in a more indirect way.
In this article we are going to focus on those who spend the most time in the company of depressed people, and who are also, normally, those who feel a stronger emotional bond with them: their family members.
How does having someone with depression affect a family?
It is clear that there is no single family model and that if each person is a world, the unique characteristics of each family unit multiply, since many more unique and unrepeatable characteristics come into play.
That is why, both in theory and in practice, no home experiences depression in the same way.
However, the large amount of research that has been carried out on the effects of this mood disorder means that today we know a series of psychological patterns that, statistically, are relatively frequent in families within which there is someone who has developed depression.
Based on that, here you will find a summary about the way in which this psychopathology affects the person’s family context; But let us keep in mind that this will not happen in all cases, and that the best way to know the impact of depression on a specific group of people is to go to a psychologist, so that this professional can analyze the case in a specific and personalized way.
1. Generates a greater propensity for discussions
Depression frequently causes problems of coexistence in the family environment. since the person who expresses these symptoms feels down and has little energy, not very willing to get involved in tasks that are not considered essential.
This easily leads to frustration on the part of family members, who observe a passivity in the other person that they are not always able to understand, and on the other hand, it generates irritability in the depressed person, who feels that he cannot isolate everything that is happening. I would want. The mixture of both elements results in situations of confrontation, which sometimes turns into hostility on both sides.
2. It gives rise to feeling guilt
Guilt is a relatively common feeling in family members who are traditionally assigned a protective role with respect to the person with depression : specifically fathers and mothers, and brothers and sisters of similar or older age.
This occurs to a lesser extent in cases in which these people are well informed about the characteristics of depression and know that it is a psychopathology whose causes, in most cases, are beyond the family’s control at first. In any case, where this feeling of guilt has appeared, it is important that it be transformed into a willingness to help by collaborating in the therapeutic process to the extent possible, instead of leading to self-sabotage and attempts to avoid thinking about the problem. problem.
It is clear that depression is not contagious in the way that some medical illnesses do, but it is true that When expressed through actions, it can contribute to creating 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 seen that young sons and daughters of people with depression also have a higher risk of developing it, even taking into account genetic factors.
4. Promotes isolation
Many families feel shame because of the suffering they see in the person with depression, and They adopt a lifestyle in which privacy is valued more and there is a tendency towards seclusion , whether total or partial. For example, families in which someone suffers from depression are less likely to go to social events together.
This, in turn, usually hinders the recovery of the depressed person, since they have access to a much smaller amount of stimuli and activities, and with less ability to propose novel situations with which to connect emotionally.
Are you looking for psychotherapeutic help?
If you believe that you and/or someone in your close family is suffering from discomfort that could be caused by depression or some other psychological disorder, please contact us. In Advance Psychologists We have been helping patients with these kinds of problems for more than 20 years, and currently, in addition to psychotherapy for people of all ages, we also offer family and couples therapy, counseling for parents, psychiatric care and neuropsychological rehabilitation, and services of sexology. In addition, you can count on us both in person at our center located in Madrid, and through online therapy. To see our contact details, click this link.
