When a Parent Is Depressed : How to Protect Your Children from the Effects of Depression in the Family

Depression can spread like a contagion through families, affecting everyone's lives -- especially children's. But there's good news too: We now have the tools to protect children from the legacy of depression. Drawing on vast clinical experience and original research, William R. Beardslee, M.D., shows for the first time how the principles of prevention can be effectively applied to families in which a parent is depressed. He offers specific, practical guidelines for parents, caregivers, and children as he outlines a program that enables families to accept the reality of depression's impact on their lives and, from there, to nurture the resilience and bonds that will make them strong. Book jacket.