Does depression run in your family?
If so, all family members can be affected.
The effects will vary in severity and type, depending in part on what role one was required to fill in one's family of origin.
Typically some family members are vulnerable to short term (reactive) depression, while others have some level of chronic chronic depression or bipolar disorder; while others may avoid depression by focusing outside the self, usually on work or on caring for others.
Most of the latter are considered successful and fortunate, and may never realize that something is missing. Some experience a reactive depression when they burn out, suffer a bereavement or severe disappointment, have a mid-life crisis, retire, or reach a long-sought goal.
Do you experience any of the following?
unstable or low self-esteem
lack of a sense of identity
overachieving but never feeling good enough
underachieving because of an unconscious fear of success
fear of asserting yourself
body image problems
obsessive dieting and/or excessive weight gain or loss
difficulty relaxing, having fun, and experiencing physical pleasure
workaholism
frequent boredom, restlessness or lack of fulfilment
disappointment in close relationships
focusing on other people's needs and problems to the point of neglecting your own needs.
These traits are all common outcomes of growing up in a depression-prone family. (These are also some of the problems experienced by adult children of alcoholics.) For information on psychotherapy for depression, depressive traits, and self-esteem issues, click on the link below.
--Beth Mares, Toronto psychotherapist
Psychotherapy for depression, depressive traits, or low self-esteem
If there
are no buttons at the left, follow the link below to the
Marriage Counselling and Psychotherapy
Toronto home page
Couples counselling in Toronto Telephone counselling for depression--cognitive-behavioral therapy
Psychotherapy for depression in Toronto--adult children of alcoholics psychotherapist
Beth Mares, Clinical Member, Ontario Society of Psychotherapists, serving The Beaches,Toronto & Scarborough
Beth Mares Counselling, Rosedale Medical Building,
Suite 605, 600 Sherbourne St., Toronto M4X 1W4
Second office at Danforth near Beaches, Toronto
For cognitive therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT, cognitive-behavioural)
Copyright © 1998 Beth Mares