Depression Fallout:
The Impact of Depression on Couples and
What You Can Do to Preserve the Bond
by Anne Sheffield
Perennial Currents; 1st edition (2003)
A candid study of the emotional and psychological impact of depression
on relationships provides clear insights, helpful advice, and coping
strategies for individuals caught in the cycle of depression fallout.
Using poignant, real-life stories from her online support group (www.depressionfallout.com),
she paints a vivid portrait of what happens to a loving relationship
when depression enters the picture.
Sharing essential information, compassion, and street-smart advice,
Anne Sheffield tells you:
- What you need to know about your partner's mental health and what
to do about it ... for your own well-being
- What experiences, behaviors, and feelings are "normal"
when dealing with depressive illness
- How to overcome your sense of helplessness and take charge of
your life
- Ways to restore your optimism, peace of mind, and sense of humor
- Where to find a community of peers to offer ongoing support
Opening Up:
The Healing Power of Expressing Emotions
by James W. Pennebaker, PhD
Guilford Press (1997)
The author presents the results of his decades-long research into
the relationship between inhibited emotion and the development of
disease. The main finding: expressing your deepest thoughts and feelings
by writing them down (or recording them) can improve your physical
as well as mental health. Also addressed: how long-buried trauma affects
the immune system; why it's never too late to heal old emotional wounds;
and how to know whom to trust when considering self-disclosure.
When Someone You Love Is Depressed:
How to Help Your Loved One Without Losing Yourself
by Laura Epstein Rosen, Xavier Francisco Amador
Simon and Schuster (Fireside) (1997)
Research has shown that the loved ones of a person who is clinically
depressed are at a much greater risk of developing psychological,
emotional, and even physical problems themselves. This useful guide
explains how families, friends, and spouses can safeguard their own
mental and physical health while helping and supporting the depressed
person in their lives. The book suggests methods you can use to protect
yourself and your relationship with the person. It also offers guidance
on how to recognize your own needs, provide the best kind of support,
and encourage the depressed person to seek treatment. Wrote one reader,
"This book gives a good explanation of what depression is as
well as effective ways of coping with it. It also provides valuable
information and resources."
What To Do When Someone You Love Is Depressed
by Mitch Golant, Susan K. Golant
Henry Holt (1998)
This book is directed toward the caregiver or "strengthened
ally" of the more than 17 million Americans who suffer from depression.
Woven throughout are the personal experiences of author Mitch Golant,
clinical psychologist and director of the Wellness Community, whose
mother was severely depressed throughout most of his childhood. One
reader, a clinical social worker, wrote of the book, "...I frequently
recommend [it] to clients, colleagues and friends for help with their
depressed family members. The section on antidepressant medicine is
especially clear and easy to understand. Dr. Golant's recommended
strategies are enhanced by his use of vignettes from his practice
and personal life to make a very touching and accessible book."
When a Parent is Depressed:
How to Protect Your Children from the Effects of Depression in the
Family
by William R. Beardslee
Little, Brown (2003)
Depression can spread like contagion through families, affecting
everyone's lives but especially children's. The good news: We now
have the tools to protect children from the legacy of depression.
Drawing on vast clinical experience and original research, Dr. Beardslee
shows for the first time how the principles of prevention can be effectively
applied to families in which a parent is depressed. He offers specific,
practical guidelines for parents, caretakers, and children as he outlines
a step-by-step approach that will enable families to accept the reality
of depression's effects on their lives and, from there, to nurture
the resilience and bonds that will make them strong.
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