Out of the Darkened Room: When a Parent is Depressed: Protecting the Children and Strengthening the Family Book

To move out of the darkened room that is depression, a parent must first move beyond denial--about the disease itself, and about its toll on the entire family. Politely bucking traditional reactive psychiatric methods, Dr. William Beardslee presents his effective program of "preventive intervention," designed to work over the long haul. The goals are twofold: first, to bolster suffering parents with strong tools for healing; second, and most importantly, to promote resilience in their children. A handful of pages cover the basics about medicines and therapy styles available for harnessing one's current depressive disorder. Beardslee strongly recommends incorporating both forms of treatment. But the majority of his praise (and page realty) is dedicated to teaching parents how to initiate and maintain powerful family communication. True healing begins with a family meeting, where parents speak honestly about their disease and invite children to discuss their own feelings, thoughts, and worries. Throughout the book, in-depth stories from diverse families under Beardslee's professional wing illustrate the difficulties and rewards associated with this commitment to sharing. Beardslee's gentle, encouraging confidence in this process, supported by many additional research findings, sends a positive and optimistic message to those seeking help for themselves and protection for their children. --Liane Thomas Read More