title: Whose life am i living? Relatives living in the shadow of depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Families living with mental illness experience added burden and need information and support.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This aim of this study was to explore the experiences of families living close to a depressed individual.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen persons were interviewed individually or in focus groups. Data was analysed using a grounded theory-inspired methodology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most participants expressed a feeling of not living their own life, struggling to balance relationships, adapting to and re-evaluating their life circumstances, and struggling to voice their ill relatives' and their own needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More can be done to help and sustain hope in the relatives of persons with depression.
authors: Health and Society, Malmö University, Sweden. sigrid.stjernsward@mah.se
authors: Sigrid
authors: S
authors: Stjernswärd
authors: Margareta
authors: M
authors: Ostman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged