Family Therapy for Depression
Depression is not a simple condition. Since there are many types of depression, a treatment that works well for one patient may not help another. However, unique people can find unique solutions, and family therapy for depression works well in tandem with other treatments. It targets social and psychological burdens that fuel continuing depression while strengthening the sufferer’s support network. No one truly suffers alone from depression, and family therapy gives everyone a voice as families work towards solutions.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Depression?
Depression is a quiet menace that may be difficult to spot, even by the sufferer’s close family. Common symptoms include persistent sadness, crying, lowered self-esteem, fatigue, and more. Since these symptoms are felt rather than seen, it can be hard to notice there’s a problem until it’s become severe. Since many symptoms of depression, particularly low self-esteem, reduce a sufferer’s willingness to ask for help, treating the condition can be just as hard as identifying it.
Many people actively hide their depression, which makes it even harder for their loved ones to understand what’s happening. Even though someone smiles at dinner and cracks jokes at parties doesn’t mean they’re well. They may not realize what’s happening, either. Lesser-known signs of depression include sleeping too much or the sudden development of insomnia, changed eating habits, unexplained aches and pains, and forgetfulness.
Emotional numbness is another red flag. This symptom often pairs with forgetfulness, and while sufferers may sometimes appear listless, many mask these symptoms very well. Only close friends and family usually spot the changes. Depression makes it hard for sufferers to have strong reactions to stories, remain interested in favored pastimes, or even pay attention to things they love. Friends may notice a sufferer doesn’t laugh as often while watching television. Parents may have to push harder to get a child to practice their favorite instrument or finish their art assignment.
How Depression Affects Family Relationships
Everyone carries and expresses their depression differently. No matter how someone expresses it, however, it almost always hurts their loved ones. Depression often leads sufferers to:
- Block out loved ones.
- Go through mood swings.
- Ignore the needs of other family members.
- Start arguments, often as a distancing strategy.
- Skip important events.
- “Ghost” family members.
- Self-sabotage, even at the expense of others.
- Self-harm
All these behaviors add to the family’s stress. They hurt everyone, and when families aren’t prepared, they can accidentally make things worse. Many have watched their loved ones become more and more violent to themselves as communication breaks down. This hurts the family as a whole, and depression usually damages more than just the original sufferer. Families need a safe place to recover, regroup, and figure out how to move forward.
What is Family Therapy?
Family members rely on each other, and when one or more members suffer from depression, families often suffer the consequences as a whole. In family therapy for depression, participants discuss anything from household chores to substance abuse under the guidance of a trained therapist. The therapist serves as a mediator during tense conversations, pushes important questions tactfully, and helps families construct roadmaps to address problems or concerns in the home.
Not all families who benefit from therapy have dramatic problems at home. Many who attend therapy together go in support of a member with depression. Seeking family therapy isn’t evidence that something is broken, but rather a sign the family wants to be and do their best for all members. It’s a sign of determined love.
How Family Therapy Helps Treat Depression
Family therapy, like all good therapy, approaches psychological issues fueling depression from multiple angles. This group-based approach simultaneously addresses many triggers for depressive episodes while improving communication. The therapist guides the conversation to address important and overlooked issues and helps all participants feel comfortable and acknowledged. This can help those with depression discuss behaviors that contribute to their struggles, figure out what they really need from their families, and contradict unfounded beliefs in their own value. Family therapy in Los Angeles can help patients with depression in several different ways:
- Families learn how to battle depression as a team.
- When families attend meetings together, the patient has evidence someone cares for them.
- Structured meetings help patients feel more comfortable and willing to share upsetting ideas.
- Patients don’t have to feel like they’re lying to their families about their wellbeing.
- Everyone gains a better understanding of how their own actions help or hurt.
Family therapy fosters improved communication and can help parents, siblings, children, etc. better understand a family member struggling with depression. The therapist not only facilitates important conversations, but they also help families move forward with new plans, habits, and coping techniques. This equips loved ones to help intervene appropriately during a depressive episode and gives the sufferer more confidence in the people around them. This all works to strengthen the patient’s support network, a critical element in recovery.
How TMS Works in Conjunction with Family Therapy
Depression is a complex condition, and while cognitive and behavioral adjustments through family therapy can improve many aspects of daily life, these types of depression treatment cannot always cure the condition on their own. There is plenty of evidence that depression affects the brain and may be caused by underactive regions, like the prefrontal cortex.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) reaches those underactive parts of the brain with targeted magnetic waves. It works in concert with medication and family therapy to restart and retrain areas made vulnerable by depression and its symptoms. This works both ways, of course. Someone with depression often struggles to engage emotionally, which can make family therapy difficult. TMS helps the brain function properly so all parties can get as much as possible out of every therapy session.
If you or a loved one plan to attend family therapy for depression, TMS can help your session yield better results. If family therapy in Los Angeles isn’t reaching as deeply or evoking the response your loved one needs, a single TMS session may make all the difference. Contact us today for a free consultation and more information about transcranial magnetic stimulation.