What is a Genogram?

• A simple family treefamily tree image by Judy Ben Joud from Fotolia.com
  
  A genogram is like a family tree on steroids. It is a graphic representation of someone's family connections and medical history. Its information far exceeds that of a family tree, giving the interpreter the ability to visualize hereditary "pictures" and psychological and social elements that drive relationships. Genograms can identify behavioral patterns and recognize genetic tendencies.
  
  

Presentation

• Genograms resemble flowcharts in which symbols represent the people in your family. Males are depicted as squares; females appear as circles; when the sex of the family member is unknown, an "X" is used; if a slash is drawn through the symbol, that family member is deceased; a horizontal line that connects two people indicates a committed relationship such as marriage; if that same committed relationship has a slash through it, a divorce has occurred, and so on.
  
  The information contained in a genogram is very detailed and personal; some of it may be difficult to obtain. The work is worth the effort, however. Advanced genograms can identify:
  
  Patterns of communication
  
  Exclusive bonding
  
  Relationships in conflict
  
  Emotional exclusions
  
  Sympathetic triangles
  
  Exclusive relationships
  
  

Using the Information

• Genograms were initially created and made popular in the clinical world by Monica McGoldrick and Randy Gerson following the publication of their book, "Genograms: Assessment and Intervention," published in 1985. The use of genograms has grown to include a variety of groups and fields such as medicine, psychology, psychiatry, genealogy, genetic research, social work, education and more.
  
  In the medical realm, genograms offer a fast, effective context that can help a doctor evaluate a patient's health risks. Being aware of medical conditions that recur in a family can afford a doctor and his staff critical information that could speed an accurate diagnosis and treatment of a patient's health conditions. Furthermore, being aware of illnesses and diseases that tend to repeat themselves in families can give health care givers a leg up in pursuing preventive medicine.
  
  Psychologists use genograms to put together pictures of their clients and their families, helping them to view the patient's life in a more complete context. The professionals can actually see potential problems and evaluate possible contentious areas within a family.
  
  

Genograms and Communication

• Genograms give us extensive framework for viewing our family relationships. In part, we understand our family by understanding the way we communicate with our family. Communication shapes and is shaped by our familial relationships.
  
  

Making a Genogram

• While people have completely undertaken the task on their own, plundering through old family records, birth and death records, old family Bibles and old medical records, there is help in the form of books on the subject, and software that can lead you by the hand. Run a quick search on the Internet and you'll find many genogram software packages to help in your quest.