Research studies have shown that children raised by a depressed parent are at increased risk for academic and behavioral problems, as well as developing major depression themselves. These risks emanate from both a child’s genetic predisposition for developing depression, as well as their stressful environmental upbringing, says Michelle Sherman, PhD, a clinical associate professor of psychology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City and the author of I’m Not Alone: A Teen’s Guide to Living with a Parent Who Has a Mental Illness. “Children often assume blame or responsibility for their parents when things go wrong, like in depression or divorce” adds Sherman.

Parents suffering from untreated major depression are typically pessimistic and uninterested in life and social activities; they also frequently have low energy, and irritability- all of which make even the basic tasks of parenthood overwhelming. When mothers are depressed, they tend to be less organized, less responsive, more likely to express negative emotions, and less likely to be engaged with their children compared to non-depressed mothers, says Kate Fogarty, assistant professor of youth development at the University of Florida. For many children, this experience forces them to learn to care for themselves prematurely, and may place them inappropriately in the role of parental caretaker. Other children are less capable, and develop dysfunctional patterns of behavior and emotional disturbance as a result of ongoing parental neglect.

A study of 244 formerly depressed adolescents revealed that those whose mothers had a history of major depression were more likely to experience a recurrence of depression between the ages of 19 and 24, and had more frequent and severe depressive episodes. Depressed mothers had more of an impact on the adolescents’ mental health than depressed fathers, according to this 2005 study by researchers at the Oregon Research Institute in Eugene, Ore., although the sons of depressed fathers were found to be more likely to consider and attempt suicide. The effects of having a father with depression has not been studied to the extent of depressed mothers, says Fogarty, but she suspects that the effect would be similar for any primary caretaker. “If this was the father and he was depressed, I would suspect there would be similar results. Researchers look at maternal depression mainly because mothers are traditionally the primary caretaker, but that’s changing” she adds.

How to support children with a depressed parent, and decrease their mental health risks.
“Depressed parents and their families should know that there is much one can do to reduce a child’s risk for becoming depressed. Just one adult who’s available and willing to help support the child can make a big difference in a child’s life when a parent is depressed,” says Sherman. Additional emotional support can come from relatives in the family, a child psychologist, school teachers, church members, or other role models in community groups. Spouses of depressed parents also need support, since parental duties often fall disproportionately upon them much of the time. Couples and family therapy are also great resources that teach healthy communication, as well as how to build coping resources and resiliency in all family members.

Grandparents can also be a great resource in mitigating the negative effects of parental depression upon a child. “Frequent contact between a child and his or her grandparents, especially if the relationship is warm and nurturing, lessens the likelihood the child will develop depression later in life” according to Fogarty. “It is important for children to have a strong adult who is consistent in his or her life” adds Fogarty.

Adults hoping to help should provide a structured environment whenever possible, most importantly, one that encourages a child to express their emotions. “That can be as simple as maintaining a dialogue with the children, keeping the lines of communication open. It can also be showing sensitivity to the child’s needs,” says Fogarty. Children with a depressed parent need adults who can detect their emotional state, since they often struggle to notice their own feelings and mood. As children, they’ve learned to focus on the emotional states of others, as a way to anticipate the shifting moods of their depressed parent. “If a child comes home after a bad day and is visibly upset, a depressed caregiver might not be available to help them through that process,” says Fogarty.

Is there hope for children raised by a depressed parent?

Some of these children show incredible resiliency, in spite of the challenges they’ve faced being raised by a depressed parent. These tend to be children with higher than average intelligence, who learn early on how to utilize an array of outside resources for guidance and support. They are often capable of socially complex problem solving, appearing ‘wise beyond their years.’ Further, they are usually comfortable with stressful situations, making them well suited to careers that require them to anticipate and read others’ emotions. They tend to be independent and self-sufficient, and are often ‘the workhorse’ and conflict facilitator in groups. As adults, they are usually sensitive and understanding of others with mental health issues. While children raised by a depressed parent remain vulnerable to depression themselves due to the aforementioned reasons, this experience does not mean they are doomed to repeating the life of their depressed parent. With sufficient support and early intervention, children raised by a depressed parent can go on to lead normal, healthy lives.

Very few studies have examined the long term health consequences for people who divorce.
According to Dr. Gerald F. Jacobson, director of the Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center in Culver City, Calif., author of ‘The Multiple Crises of Marital Separation and Divorce “there has been a ‘disproportionate emphasis on the impact of divorce on children, and not enough attention to how divorce affects the former spouses.” Celebrities like Hollywood actress Eva Longoria and NBA player Tony Parker, who have recently made international news by filing for divorce after 7 years together, are not immune to the long term health consequences of divorce, as seen below. Erin Barry, San Antonio Spurs former player Brent Barry‘s wife has also recently filed for divorce, and has admitted to sexting with Tony Parker for months, perhaps leading to the demise of both marriages.

Both Dr. Gerald F. Jacobson and Dr. James J. Lynch, a psychologist at the University of Maryland, author of ”The Broken Heart: The Medical Consequences of Loneliness”, suggest that people’s reaction to divorce is similar to experiencing the death of a spouse. Feelings of anger, guilt and depression often become overwhelming. However unlike in bereavement, the former spouse continues on with their life, making it difficult to gain closure following a divorce.

Scientific research has long established the biological connection between emotional stress, and the development of physical illness. Untreated stress can lead to abnormal immunological functioning in those who have divorced, making them more vulnerable to all kinds of illnesses, including cancer. A study examining the health effects of divorce reveal that after a diagnosis of cancer, married people are most likely to recover, while the divorced are least likely to recover, indicating that the emotional trauma of divorce has a long-term impact on the physical health of the body.

Dr. Robert Segraves, a psychiatrist and marriage and divorce counselor at the University of Chicago Medical Center, points out that divorced people not only have higher suicide rates, but also higher rates of admission to psychiatric hospitals and outpatient clinics, more visits to non-psychiatric physicians than people who were married, single or widowed. Dr. Segraves points out ”There’s a lot of evidence that divorce is an overwhelming stress for most people, even if they are getting divorced for the right reasons. There’s tremendous internal and external reorganization required after a divorce. And the effects are not just short-term. We see a lot of people years later who are having trouble reconnecting with the opposite sex. Men, for instance, often have problems with impotence four or five years later because they’re scared to death to be reconnected.”

In a study of 79 men and 159 women who were separated or divorced and who went to a psychiatric crisis clinic, Dr. Jacobson found that time did not necessarily heal the wounds of divorce. While depression peaks immediately after the initial separation and then subsides, Dr. Jacobson found that those who are separated 14 months or more, whether or not they have filed for divorce, ”do not tend to improve further and may even worsen.” He also found that while women were most disturbed just before separation, ”men tend to be more depressed, anxious and suicidal after separation.”

Should you remain ‘friends with your ex” when no children are involved, such as in the marriage of Eva Longoria & Tony Parker?

While many mental health professionals purport that divorced spouses can continue to be valuable resources for one another, Dr. Jacobson found that ”more often than not, continued reliance may not be associated with better levels of mental health, particularly in women.” Results from this study suggest that ”disturbance will be less when there is a moderate amount of contact between the spouses and when emotional reliance is acknowledged when it exists.”

In spite of the negative impact divorce can have upon one’s health, divorce can also be an opportunity for positive growth. By learning and growing from the divorce experience, you will be better equipped to develop a healthy romantic relationship in the future. For more advice on how to move on and manage stress following a divorce, visit this article featured on Dr. Phil.com

For most American college students, the influx of new social opportunities, academic demands, pulling all nighters, and the ubiquitous college party scene can lead to high levels of stress. But students with bipolar disorder or other mental health problems, and students with a family history of mental health disorders, are especially vulnerable in a college environment.

The pressure of academic performance, social demands, and irregular sleep patterns are all triggers of depression as well as mania, the euphoric, revved-up state characteristic of bipolar disorder. In fact, college is one of the most common places people experience their first bout of depression or mania. According to Russell Federman, Ph.D, the director of Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Virginia student health center, the desire to fit in and conform to the college lifestyle can cause students with mental health problems to abandon healthy behaviors, even their medications. Without the right treatment and support, bipolar college students face higher dropout rates, drug and alcohol abuse, and even suicide.

A 2006 study in the Journal of Affective Disorders compared a group of bipolar adults with a group of healthy adults who had similar IQs and social backgrounds. More than 60 percent of both groups entered college, but their achievements differed greatly: Nearly half of the control group received a college degree, compared to just 16 percent of the bipolar group.

Students with bipolar disorder or other mental health problems can succeed in college, but doing so requires dedication to a plan. The following points are ALL crucial and can make the difference between achieving your college success goals and dropping out or worse, losing control of your mental health.

* Taking the proper medications, and ensuring they are easily accessible for refills
* arranging for the appropriate counseling and medical care on campus in addition to outside support
* avoiding drugs and alcohol and even caffeine, as they can render medications ineffective
* maintaining a steady sleep and study schedule
* finding sources of peer support

In his 2010 book, “Facing Bipolar: The Young Adult’s Guide to Dealing With Bipolar Disorder”, Federman outlines what he calls the “four S’s of bipolar stability”: structure, stress management, sleep management, and self-monitoring. This framework includes sticking to a regular schedule of studying and sleep, and learning to recognize the signs that you are beginning to drift into mania or hypomania.

An organization called Active Minds is trying to open the dialogue about mental illness on college campuses. Founded by Alison Malmon in 2001, following the suicide of her older brother, the organization now has more than 200 chapters nationwide. Active Minds organizes events such as National Day Without Stigma and has partnered with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance to create peer support groups on college campuses.

 

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, has become a commonly used term by the public, with many of us becoming familiar with it as a result of celebrities such as Bobby Brown, Ben Stiller, Britney Spears, and Jim Carey exhibiting symptoms or identifying themselves as having been diagnosed with this disorder. But what exactly IS Bipolar disorder, and how can you tell the difference between someone who meets the criteria for the disorder from someone who is just ‘moody’ or chooses to live an extreme lifestyle?

Bipolar is a brain disorder, or chemical imbalance that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. The symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe, and the criteria for receiving a diagnosis are quite specific. They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time, as well as more extreme mood shifts you might observe in others.

The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) classifies Bipolar Disorder by the occurrence of one or more manic or mixed episode (also known as agitated depression) often accompanied by depressive episodes. So even if you’re depressed 99 percent of the time, experiencing just one manic episode qualifies you for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder according to this definition – but that still leaves most of us confused about who fits the criteria for a diagnosis, aside from the fact that the DSM-IV also differentiates between Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Hypomania, and Cyclothymia (all diagnoses that can be referred to as ‘manic depressive’.)

This article aims to explain the differences amongst these disorders in the simplest terms. Bipolar disorder is an illness that impacts a person’s thoughts, feelings, perceptions (both mental and physical), and behavior. It’s likely caused by electrical and chemical elements in the brain that are not functioning properly, with research suggesting that people are genetically vulnerable to inheriting the disease when their families have a history of its occurrence.

Typically, a person with manic-depression experiences moods that shift from high to low and back again, with varying degrees of severity. To receive a diagnosis of bipolar, these symptoms CANNOT be a direct result of alcohol or drug use. The symptoms are severe enough to lead to impairment in work, social, or academic functioning, and may lead to involuntary hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others. Note: to receive a diagnosis of a manic or depressive episode, a specific type, duration and number of symptoms MUST be present; refer to a mental or medical health professional or the DSM-IV for more details on this.)

A depressive episode can be identified by:

Mood Changes:

A long period of feeling sad, hopeless, worried, guilty or tearful
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex.

Behavioral Changes:

Feeling tired, or ‘slowed down’
Having problems concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
Being restless or irritable
Changing eating, sleeping, or other habits
Thinking of death or suicide, or attempting suicide

May include psychotic or catatonic features as well.

A manic episode can be identified by:

Feeling like you can do anything, even something unsafe or illegal

extreme displays of emotion- including jubilant or euphoric expressions, rage, paranoia, agitation
Decreased need for sleep, yet never feeling tired

Inflated self esteem or grandiosity

highly talkative, or pressured speech

distractability, or being too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant stimuli
Dressing flamboyantly, spending money extravagantly, living recklessly
Having increased sexual desires, or indulging in risky sexual behaviors
Thoughts of suicide or other morbid/destructive behaviors

May include psychotic, or catatonic features

Bipolar I is defined by manic or mixed episodes that last at least seven days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, the person also has depressive episodes (typically lasting at least two weeks) but depression is NOT necessary for receiving a Bipolar I diagnosis, however the symptoms of mania or depression must be a major change from the person’s normal behavior.

Bipolar Disorder II is differentiated from Bipolar 1 in that it involves symptoms of hypomania (less extreme symptoms and for shorter duration compared to full-blown mania), as well as the presence of a depressive episode. This diagnosis is defined by a pattern of depressive episodes shifting back and forth with hypomanic episodes, but no full-blown manic or mixed episodes.

Cyclothymia is a “bipolar-like” illness. People with cyclothymic disorder have milder symptoms than in full-blown bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder, if left untreated, can wreak havoc on the personal lives of people with the disorder. Unstable moods frequently disrupt or even destroy personal and work relationships. People may have difficulty finding a life partner, instead moving through a series of passionate, short-lived romances. Impulsive behavior can be self-destructive and lead to serious legal problems. At it’s worst, bipolar disorder can be lethal, leading to suicide or death of others. People with bipolar are also more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. As many as 50% of people with bipolar may also have a problem with substance abuse, in an attempt to alleviate or enhance their symptoms. But bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives with the appropriate medical and emotional support. If you or someone you know is suspected of experiencing symptoms associated with Bipolar disorder, seek the help of a medical and/or mental health professional as soon as possible.

Sources: DSM-IV, webmd.com