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NFCA links
Although not designed specifically to ward off depression, the following articles and ideas for connect with other family caregivers on this site, might help you do just that.
Connecting Caregivers
Tips and Tools
Believe in Yourself
Protect Your Health
Reach out for Help
Other Depression and Family Caregiving Links:
Depression-screening.org (Hosted by the National Mental Health Association) includes in addition to the self-screener, video testimonials, and additional information on major depression.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Frequently updated with events, advocacy, training, and other news.
Psych Central
Breaks depression symptoms into general and specific episodes and includes resources for specific groups (women, children, teenager, and diabetics).
Depression is Real.org
Offers many links to "find support." and targets specific demographics (e.g. Latinos, African Americans)
Mayo Clinic
Provides videos, a doctor Q & A, and treatments.
Recommended Articles:
Mild Depression Breeds Prolonged Inflammation In Caregivers, Depression Affects Physical Health,
(Archives of General Psychiatry) Even mild depression can substantially unbalance the human immune
system and that change can be pivotal in setting older Americans up for developing serious
age-related diseases. (Word Document, 15 K)
Recommended Books:
SUZANNE MINTZ'S LATEST BOOK
JUST RELEASED: A Family Caregiver Speaks Up ... "It Doesn't Have To Be This Hard", the revised and updated edition of Love, Honor & Value by Suzanne Mintz, NFCA's President & Co-founder.
The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers—Looking After Yourself and Your Family While Helping an Aging Parent (The Guilford Press 2006) by Barry J. Jacobs, PsyD. An account of two sisters and their ailing mother, this book will help family members navigate tough decisions and make the most of their time together as they care for an aging parent. Specifically, in Chapter 8, the book addresses approaches to “Sustaining the Spirit” and how to continue to be positive, relating to methods of coping with and avoiding depression.
Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness (Modern Library 2007) by William Styron. A work of great personal courage and literary tour de force, this bestseller is Styron’s true account of his descent into a crippling and almost suicidal depression. Styron is perhaps the first writer to convey the full terror of depression’s psychic landscape, as well as the illuminating path to recovery.
Between You and Me: A Memoir (Amazon Remainders Account 2005) by Mike Wallace and Paul Gates. After 60 years of reporting on important events around the world, Mike Wallace shares his personal stories about the incredible range of celebrities, newsmakers, criminals, and world leaders who have subjected themselves to his unique brand of questioning. Through Wallace’s intimate observations about these figures, we experience afresh the pivotal events that have shaped our world.
When Life Becomes Precious: The Essential Guide for Patients, Loved Ones, and Friend of Those Facing Serious Illness (Bantam 1997) by Elise Babcock. An outstanding resource of answer to uncomfortable questions that come when someone you care about is diagnosed with cancer. It includes specific tips for cultivating a support network, avoiding caregiver burnout, managing fear and anger (in both yourself and the cancer patient), finding the best doctors and other health care professionals to plan treatment, preparing hospital visits, and, for the patient, dealing with cancer when at the workplace. This book also extends beyond cancer patients and is applicable to any serious illness.
Always on Call: When Illness Turns Families into Caregivers (United Hospital Fund Book) (Vanderbilt University Press 2004) by Carol Levine (Editor) Combining powerful personal stories with astute analysis and recommendations, Always on Call reveals the hidden struggles of the more than 25 million family caregivers in the United States. Specifically, Chapter 9 accounts the various issues of loneliness that arise when one is a long-time caregiver, and then describes in Chapter 10, successful techniques of how to convert initial sadness into a means of pride, outlining the emotional journey experienced while care giving.
Taking Time for Me: How Caregivers Can Effectively Deal with Stress (Golden Age Books) (Prometheus Books 2002) by Katherine L. Karr. Insightful observations and suggestions – enhanced by compelling personal accounts of real care providers who are struggling with their own needs while tending to the needs of others – demonstrate that caregivers can overcome their personal conflicts and develop innovative ways of renewing their strength without jeopardizing the well-being of those who depend on them. One of the specific personal conflicts, self-pity, is particularly highlighted in Chapter 7, and through discussing why self-pity occurs, outlines steps to prevent it.
The Caregiver’s Survival Handbook: How to Care for Your Aging Parent Without Losing Yourself (Perigee Trade 2004) by Alexis Abramson. This book is written for those 16 million women who are part of the “sandwich generation” – caught between the needs of their elderly relatives and their young families offering practical care giving advice, but also helping to deal with the emotional concerns they face.
Positive Caregiver Attitudes (Caregiver Survival Series) (Pathway Books 1996) by James R. Sherman. In his dedication, Dr. Sherman writes, “The capacity to care is the thing that gives life its deepest significance and meaning.” This quote is an overriding theme in the book, which also validates caregivers’ efforts, discusses negative attitudes, outlines ways that people can develop a plan of action to become more positive.
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