You will need:
- 8 1/2 X 11 paper or larger
- Black Ink Pen
- Ruler
- Colored markers or crayons
Let's take one more step back from your life for an even larger view of the "big picture." During this exercise you will construct your genogram, or "family tree." A genogram is a graphical representation of your family which allows you to see patterns of behaviors and/or events which occurred in your family's history. In order to complete this exercise you may need to interview several members of your family to fill in the "blanks" where your own knowledge falls short. The following types of information are of particular interest to you: marriages, divorces, extra-marital relationships, compulsive behaviors such as alcohol or chemical dependency, gambling, sex, food, or compulsive spending. Additional information to note is gender and number of children for each couple, physical illnesses, mental illness, births and deaths and dates for all of the above. Be willing to take risks to get this information, as this is an important part of your recovery. You may have amends to make before you can complete this step. For example, you may need to call Aunt Ruth, whom you told off and have not spoken to in 15 years. Or you may have to take the risk of breaking the family "rule of silence" that says, "We just don't talk about those things. It's best not to to drag up the past."
The following key explains the symbols used in building a genogram.
TIP: Draw your genogram in black ink and use colored markers to note significant events or issues. Each issue should have its own color. For example, use red to denote alcoholism, green to denote mental illness, etc...
Start with yourself, your spouse and children, if you have them, near the bottom of the page, centered. Leave room beneath you for any grandchildren and their relatives you may have. Work your way out and up with you and/or your partner's family history.
A sample genogram is provided below. Different colors are used to highlight recurring issues. For example, alcoholism or alcohol related incidents are red. Divorce or sexual behavior issues are blue. Look for the patterns within a given generation and across several generations. Remember, since addictions tend to be inherited, you
TIP: Draw your genogram in black ink and use colored markers to note significant events or issues. Each issue should have its own color. For example, use red to denote alcoholism, green to denote mental illness, etc...
Start with yourself, your spouse and children, if you have them, near the bottom of the page, centered. Leave room beneath you for any grandchildren and their relatives you may have. Work your way out and up with you and/or your partner's family history.
A sample genogram is provided below. Different colors are used to highlight recurring issues. For example, alcoholism or alcohol related incidents are red. Divorce or sexual behavior issues are blue. Look for the patterns within a given generation and across several generations. Remember that since addictions tend to be inherited, you probably got yours from someone you love!
The following key explains the symbols used in building a genogram.
