depressed, but also bears down on family and friends. Those who are close to a sick friend or family member, struggle with the degree of sympathy and help they should offer. If they their time is not enough they have failed to honor their commitments as a friend. If their time is too much they run the risk of being entwined in the spiral downfall of depression. Boundary setting is the central issue in chapter six. The family member or friend wants so badly to care for the depressed sufferer but sometimes depression can become to overwhelming even for the family member or friend. This is why it is important that specific boundary lines are set. I believe that those who suffer with a mental illness want family and friends to become a part of their battle. The depressed may seem withdrawn but the reason for this is because society has told them that they are mentally ill. People who suffer are afraid to describe every detail of their sickness. This inability to share builds a wall between family and friends. People are quick to blame the depressed but if society would except people for their differences depression would be half the issue it is today. Depression is rooted in societies expectations to be "normal". This leads us into the finally chapter, "Sickness, Self, and Society.""Only rarely do suffers of depression relate their condition to the kinds of broad cultural trends that, I believe, influence our consciousness about everything"(VII. P. 166 David Karp.) People who suffer with depression almost always try labeling the source, such as difficult child hood, poor job, and family problems. But in reality the source of their depression is most likely based on cultural trends, which influence our consciousness about everything. What I found to be extremely interesting is when Karp raised the issue on the connection between spirituality and depression. He writes about how impressed he was with those who spoke of their depression as a gi...
