Mental Health Family Tree

To help you uncover personal and family behavior patterns that may be associated with depression or bipolar disorder, Families for Depression Awareness developed the Mental Health Family Tree builder. After completing a simple questionnaire, you can print an easy-to-read "family tree" that maps the existence of behaviors associated with depression or bipolar disorder in your family. You can then share this family tree with your doctor or family.

"If I had built my Mental Health Family Tree earlier, it would have given my doctor and me a clearer picture of what I was dealing with," says Renee Rosolino. "It would have helped us realize that my father's constant mood swings and irritable behaviors may have been more than upsetting personality traits - he may have had bipolar disorder. Knowing this earlier could have helped my doctor differentiate my bipolar disorder from depression, and led to effective treatment and the happier life I have now much faster." - Renee Rosolino, Patient

"The Mental Health Family Tree is very useful in helping guide the differential diagnosis process (between depression and bipolar disorder) and in helping determine which treatment may be best for the patient." -Jean Endicott, Ph.D, Columbia University