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Table 2 A summary of the main findings: themes, codes and sub-codes used to define themes, and example quotes

From: Feeling labeled, judged, lectured, and rejected by family and friends over depression: Cautionary results for primary care clinicians from a multi-centered, qualitative study

Themes

Codes and Sub-codes Defining Themes

Example Quotes

Feeling Labeled

Impact of Statements on the Participant

As far as discussin' [depression] with family members…I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that….they might put a label on me, you know, I’m crazy or something like that.

 

1. Emotional Health

 
 

2. Motivation to Discuss Depression

 

Feeling Judged

Family Members’ Presumed Standard for Judgment of Causes of Depressive Symptoms

Other people are, like, “You should be so happy. You have two kids. You have a nice husband. You have this, you have that.” [My mother]’s like, “Why are you so miserable all the time?” I’m like, “I just am.”

 

1. Life Circumstances

 
 

2. Inheritance

 
 

3. Religion

 

Feeling Lectured

Family Members’ Presumed Reason for Suggesting that Depressive Symptoms Can Be Voluntarily Controlled

One thing that I really didn't want to be told, and I was told multiple times, uh, was that it's all in my head. Uh, it's all in my head, and, uh, you know, it's all in my head and get over it…it's like belittling, you know? It, it made, made me feel like I'm the one that's trying to draw attention to myself, you know, or I'm blowing it out of proportion.

 

1. Depressive Symptoms are Manufactured by the Sufferer

 
 

2. Depressive Symptoms are Related to Physical Symptoms

 

Feeling Rejected

Type of Discussion with Family Members That Was Attempted and Rejected

They’re tired. They’ve been tired. They’ve been living with it. They’re tired. They’re fed up. They don’t have the strength anymore…when we go to them one more time and say, “Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.” You know, they don’t want to hear it. They, they don’t want to hear it.

 

1. Depressive Symptom Disclosure (Including Presumed Reasons for Rejection)

 
 

2. Depression Treatment Choices