A diagnosis of mental illness like anxiety or a mood disorder in one family member affects the whole family.  It might bring a strain on relationships and can be wearing on the entire family in addition to the effects it has on the individual.  These responses are not intentional; they usually arise because of differences in understanding what a mental illness is and how to best deal with it.  But it can lead to fractures in families, serious disagreement and sometimes estrangement.  This I know from personal experience. 

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