TONY FRAIS
Anthony T Frais
2013 PB,
52pp,
£6.99, 9780954806842
This is a short but very helpful booklet written to help people caring or supporting someone with severe depression. Designed to be accessible to a wide audience, it acknowledges that many people who support or live with someone with depression do not always identify themselves as carers. The booklet deals with the challenges of living with someone with this serious condition but also offers a positive message about the value of caring and support.
There are helpful quotes throughout illustrating the emotions and situations described from both carers’ and patients’ perspectives. Evidence based, it provides an honest insight underpinned by the author’s own experiences and is equally valuable to both the patient and carer and their wider family and friends in facilitating understanding.
Throughout, the author emphasises how the carer and patient are partners experiencing the illness together. The booklet explains the condition, not shying away from challenging topics such as suicidal thoughts and stigma. Part one describes the nature of severe depression asserting that carers will be better equipped to face the challenges ahead if they are more informed. The booklet then focuses on the impact of the condition on the carer and addresses issues such as frustration, blame, and guilt:
‘I did not cause it. I cannot control it. I cannot cure it. All I can do is cope with it.’
Carers often experience many of these emotions but may not feel able to express them:
‘You live each day like you’re walking on eggshells … because any little thing could make him worse.’
Potential sources of advice and support for carers are discussed, with suggestions included for how the carer can assist someone with depression to access help, acknowledging that this can be difficult due to the stigma which surrounds depression and mental illness. The importance of the patient–carer partnership is constantly reinforced:
‘The carer and the severely depressed person are considered as partners who are facing this experience together.’
For example, when visiting the GP, the issue of patient confidentiality is discussed. The booklet highlights how the GP can still support and involve the carer in spite of this.
The booklet explores individual carer’s needs. Carers can often feel isolated and shouldn’t feel guilty about taking time to manage their own health and wellbeing:
‘It’s been so beneficial to me being involved in carers groups ... just hearing everybody’s story, and realising ... hang on — I’m not the only one going through this.’
The booklet ends on an optimistic note looking at the positive aspects of caring for people with severe depression, which may be easily forgotten or missed:
‘I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance.’
(Pablo Casals, page 43 of the booklet)
Initial comments from GPs have been very positive describing the booklet as a useful tool and a bridge between a self-help book and patient information leaflet. The format allows a more thorough understanding of the patient and carer’s journey, yet is not overly burdensome to read.
Approximately 1 in 12 people visiting the GP are carers and up to 40% of carers experience psychological distress or depression and also have an increased rate of physical health problems.1 The booklet is timely as the RCGP is currently working to highlight the role of carers.1
As a low-cost intervention, and if offered to carers early, this booklet could make a real difference to both the patient and carer’s health and wellbeing.
- © British Journal of General Practice 2013
