Depression doesn't impact only the people who suffer from it. The impact also reaches all the family members of people diagnosed with the disorder. It's important not to overlook the importance that support systems play in coping with and dealing with mental health issues such as depression. The toll that the stress of worrying about a family member with depression takes can be overwhelming and increase anxiety among family members.
First Signs
When someone begins to suffer from depression, the family members will start to notice signs that the person has changed. The sufferer might seem moody, irritable, sad and isolated. Things that they once found pleasurable such as hiking on the weekends and playing board games with family members may no longer make them happy. Family members may not understand why their loved one is acting differently, and children may think that they've done something wrong.
Mood
Women and men tend to react to feelings of depression differently. Men are more likely to become irritable, and women are more likely to experience feelings of extreme sadness when depressed. Women may not be able to get out of bed in the morning and take care of their kids or go to work, and the family could severely suffer. Men who become depressed might take out their anger on their kids and spouse by starting arguments and in some cases by being abusive. Children and adolescents tend to express their depression through irritability as well, and parents may not realize that the child is depressed because he doesn't seem overly sad.
Isolation
With tight knit families, one member isolating herself can impact all the other family members. People with depression may not have the energy to go to the movies, participate in family game night or go out to dinner. They may try to escape from their feelings of depression by completely concentrating on work and staying away from friends and family members. People who care about the person suffering from depression may get their feelings hurt when they try to help or not understand why the person seemed to suddenly disappear.
Recklessness and Suicide
Some people cope with depression in unhealthy ways, because they don't realize they're depressed. They might turn to drugs and alcohol to try to feel better, have unprotected sex with strangers or drive recklessly. These behaviors can lead to serious injuries or death, which both greatly impact families.
Depression can lead to suicide if it's not treated, and sometimes even if it is treated. Families can be greatly impacted by the death of a family member when it occurs through natural causes, but death from suicide can affect families in other ways. For example, spouses of someone who commits suicide may feel guilty or ashamed. Parents or children may feel that it's their fault and blame themselves.
