Identifying depression in a family member: the carers' experience

Current research activity has not focused adequately upon the experience of caring for a person with depression. This study aimed to explore the carer's experience of living with a person with clinical depression. Specific focus was given to the detection and recognition of the disorder.

A series of focus groups and in-depth interviews was conducted with carers living with a person with clinical depression in rural and metropolitan Australia. Participants were recruited via support agencies and local advertising of the research.

Signs and symptoms of depression were recognised by carers, generally in hindsight. Barriers to early detection were identified by carers and these were likely to contribute to the psychological reaction of carers and to the eventual diagnosis of the care recipient.

The study would be strengthened by a greater diversity of relationships between the carer and the care recipient.

This research has important implications for clinical practice and health policy, which must evolve to facilitate early detection and intervention, and to address the experience and needs of carers.