Make a Genogram

A genogram is a family map or history that uses special symbols to describe relationships, major events, and the dynamics of a family over multiple generations. Mental health and medical professionals often use genograms to identify patterns of mental and physical illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, cancer and other genetic diseases. To begin a genogram you will need to interview family members first. Then, you can use standard genogram symbols to create a diagram that documents your family's specialized history.

Steps

 * 1) Determine your reason for creating a genogram. The purpose will help you to focus on the type of family information you want to collect. It's also liable to help you decide with whom you will share the completed diagram––sometimes the information might
 * 2) * Genograms can focus on a number of issues including substance abuse, mental illness, and physical violence, as well as many physical illnesses.
 * 3) *Genograms can provide health care workers with a visual document that tracks the history of your current mental or medical problem through your family bloodline.
 * 4) Decide how many generations you'd like to represent in your genogram. This will give you a clear idea of who you will need to approach for information to complete your diagram and whether this will be possible given people's ages and geographical distribution.
 * 5) *Don't forget that you can use email, Skype and other communications devices to get in touch with far-flung family members even if you can't afford to/don't want to travel to talk to them in person.
 * 6) Research your family history. Write down everything you know first. When you've exceeded your own knowledge, talk to family members. Ask questions about family relationships and significant events. Take good notes.
 * 7) *Be mindful that these discussions may be difficult for some family members.
 * 8) *Be prepared to listen to lots of stories. Stories are the best means by which we remember and transfer information––encourage these as they arise by listening attentively and asking open-ended questions that motivate the person to share more information.
 * 9) *You may also be able to find information through web searches or family books. However, you should be sure that this information is accurate if you decide to use it, which means you may need to cross-check it directly with living persons.
 * 10) Design your genogram. Genogram templates are available that can be completed online or filled out by hand. You can also purchase software programs designed specifically for creating genograms.]
 * 11) Use standard genogram symbols to represent family members and their relationships, both normal and dysfunctional. The symbols act as a visual indicator of the information you gathered in your interviews. You can draw the standard genogram symbols by hand or by using the "draw" or "shapes" options in a word processing program.
 * 12) * Males are indicated by a square. When indicating a marriage, position the male symbol to the left.
 * 13) * Women are indicated by a circle. When indicating a marriage, position the female symbol to the right.
 * 14) * A single horizontal line indicates marriage and two slanted lines separation.
 * 15) * The oldest child is always below and to the left of his family, whereas the youngest should be below and to the right.
 * 16) * Other available symbols help you describe family events such as pregnancy or miscarriage, illnesses and deaths. There is even a diamond symbol to represent pets.
 * 17) Organize the chart based on family interactions beginning with the oldest generation you want to represent. For example, you may decide to start your genogram with your grandparents or even your great grandparents. Genograms can be used to show the diversity in family relationships as well as patterns of illnesses.
 * 18) * A genogram includes symbols to indicate family interactions such as conflict, closeness, estrangement, etc. Emotional relationships have specific symbols that help keep the flow of the genogram clear.
 * 19) * There are also symbols that denote sexual and physical abuse as well as mental and physical disorders.
 * 20) Look for patterns. Once you've made the genogram, look carefully to see what patterns can be identified. There may be hereditary patterns or particular psychological tendencies that are very noticeable when grouped together in this way.
 * 21) *Be careful about making assumptions. The data is one thing but avoid using it to confirm that your family has a particular disease issue. Talk to a medical professional about any potential for hereditary problems of this type.
 * 22) *Avoid using the genogram to make assumptions about the motivations of family members, or using this to confront them. While you might find a tendency for Uncle Fred to quit every job he has ever had and cousin Millie has always seemed to steal other people's boyfriends, it's not a good idea to wave the genogram in front of their faces to "prove" your point that they need psychoanalysis. Be very careful to avoid approaching your family members in a judgmental way as a result of making a genogram; talk to your family or personal counselor before proceeding to reach conclusions from a self-generated genogram.
 * 23) *If you're writing up the family history, patterns established in a genogram can be very helpful as a way of explaining why ancestral family members left one geographical area for another, what sorts of relationship issues they had and may help to unearth family members who were not officially recognized.

Tips

 * Always maintain the confidentiality of family members when sharing your genogram with non-family members.
 * Keep your completed genogram in a secure place. The information represented in the diagram could be embarrassing or harmful to some family members.
 * Genograms are also known as also known as a McGoldrick-Gerson study or a Lapidus Schematic.
 * Genograms can also be used with plant and animal species, to find mutations and survival skills, etc.
 * This can be an excellent classroom exercise; have the students select a famous person of their choice and research this person's background and family to try and assemble a genogram. This should be made easier using the internet but recognize its limitations too––this should be treated as a research exercise, not one seeking absolute completeness.

Warnings

 * Never use a genogram to confront a family member without the guidance of a counselor or health care professional.

Things You'll Need

 * Pens
 * Note pad
 * Drawing paper
 * Word processing program (optional)
 * Genogram template or genogram design software

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Research Your Family Tree With Online Census Records
 * How to Draw a Family Tree
 * How to Use Facebook to Research Your Family Tree
 * How to Get Started With a Research Project

Sources and Citations

 * http://www.genograms.org/create.html – research source
 * http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/Children_Family_Services/safety_rfb/a1FGenSym.pdf – research source
 * http://www.aafp.org/fpm/2001/0300/fpm20010300p49-rt1.pdf – research source
 * http://www.genopro.com/genogram/templates/ – Free Genogram Template