I've been diagnosed with unipolar depression, and have probably been depressed most of my 20's possibly as far back as my early teens. I know that my depression affects my family, that when I'm in a depressive episode it can negatively affect Grace and to a lesser extent, Sissy. The support I get from them is as important as anything I get from my therapist. I've gone with Sissy and with Grace to therapy on occasion, and they've urged me to talk to my therapist about things I discuss with them that I might otherwise have been reluctant to talk about with my therapist. They're also monitoring me to help determine the antidepressant I'm taking is helping any--it's often easier for a family member to notic improvements than it is for the patient.
Sissy's wanting to be here to support me just caused an argument with her boyfriend. That has more to do with my anxiety more than depression, but they are related conditions.
ngdawg: Depression is far more common in women, though exactly why isn't known. One theory that I've heard from more than one therapist is that women tend to turn their anger inward, while men tend to turn it outward, which might account for why men are more prone to explosive rage disorders, which are chemically quite similar to depression in how they operate in the brain. Women are generally better at expressing most emotions, but are taught to suppress anger and related aggressive emotions, which may also be a contributing factor.
Gilda
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Last edited by Gilda; 09-02-2006 at 02:31 PM..
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