Thanks TVC!

Depression does run in families. When I was hospitalized in the early 80's, the psychiatrists repeatedly asked me for my family history. I didn't understand why it was so important and didn't have any relevant info to give them, (which, BTW, frustrated them, which in turn made me feel as if I had let them down).

It was only a couple of years later that I found out from my aunt that my grandfather had suffered with depression for much of his life. Then upon further investigation (and nobody back then wanted to talk about it at all) I discovered that there was fairly extensive history of depression/mental illness on BOTH sides of my Mom and Dad's families.

Knowing that family history did help to explain my early predisposition to depression...and is helping my young niece who also now suffers from depression.

[ September 01, 2005, 12:22 PM: Message edited by: Eagle Heart ]