Use Genogram Symbols and Meanings to understand family dynamics, medical history, and emotional relationships. Learn how to use and interpret these symbols with our comprehensive guide today!
The use of symbols and diagrams for the representation of a family's relationships and medical history is called a genogram. Genograms serve a purpose in many professions, like therapists, genealogists, and medical researchers. Therapists use it to help clients understand their family, genealogists use it to research family history, and medical researchers use it to identify disease risks. So, it is crucial to understand the genogram symbols and interpret their meanings accurately.
Some of the most common genogram symbols include squares for males, circles for females, and lines for relationships. Many other symbols represent different types of relationships, such as marriage or divorce. Similarly, genogram symbols are used to show medical conditions as well. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the different types of genogram symbols and their meanings. It will shed light on the emotional relationship and medical symbols.
In this article
Part I. Common Genogram Symbols
There is a vast collection of genogram symbols that can be utilized to represent different relationships. Here are some basic symbols for a genogram diagram.
Note: All symbols of genogram are free to use on Wondersahre EdrawMax. You can find more on its online genogram maker tool..
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Genogram symbols for genders:
The symbols for males and females are pretty easy. Square for male and circle for female. A triangle means pregnancy.
However, the symbols for LGBTQs will be a bit complex.
- When a man is gay, put an inverted triangle inside a square.
- For a lesbian, put the inverted triangle inside a circle. For bisexuals, make an inverted triangle with dotted lines.
- For trans groups, combine the square and circle. Put the symbol of the current gender outside and the previous gender inside.
Genogram symbols for birth:
- When a person is still alive, we can just put the age inside the square or circle. And also put the birth year above.
- Put a cross inside the square or circle when the person is gone. If you know the age when they passed, type it in the middle.
- When you have all the details: years of birth and death, and their ages, list them all.
Basic Genogram Lines
In a genogram building, we will use lines to describe the relationship between two people. For instance:
- A line with two right angles: marriage
- We make the line dotted, it's for engagement now.
- We add two slashes to the line, it's divorce now.
When someone is estranged from another, we will draw a dotted line with two short vertical lines in the middle.
Genogram symbols and lines for couples
When you need to represent a specific relationship between two members of a family, you will use Family genogram symbols. Some of the most commonly used family genogram symbols include:
- Married couple: A horizontal line connecting a couple indicates a marriage. The line extends to connect the names of the two individuals.
- Divorced couple: Two diagonal lines through the horizontal line of marriage represent a divorce or the end of a marriage.
- Parent-child relation: When a vertical line connects the parent's symbol to the child's symbol, it represents a parent-child relationship.
- Widowed: A diagonal line through the marriage line shows a deceased spouse in marriage.
Emotional Relationship Symbols
Genogram emotional relationship symbols represent the emotional quality of relationships between family members. Some common genogram Emotional relationship symbols include:
- Dashed Lines: This indicates conflict in a relationship. These lines suggest a distant emotional connection.
- Wavy Lines: This shows emotional issues within a relationship. This could include mental health challenges or emotional complexities.
- Double Lines: Indicate a close and strong emotional bond between individuals. The double lines can represent a particularly tight or supportive relationship.
- Vertical Lines with Small Horizontal Lines: These may represent emotional cutoffs or individuals who are emotionally detached from their families.
- Absence of Clear Lines or Spaces: Enmeshed relationships may be represented by the absence of clear lines or spaces between family members.
Medical Genogram Symbols
There are specific symbols in the genogram that are used to represent medical conditions in an individual. Some common medical genogram symbols include:
- Circle or Square with a Dot in the Centre: This symbol represents an individual who is a carrier of a medical condition or health issue.
- Half-Shaded Circle or Square: This represents an individual with a partial or incomplete medical condition. It can be cancer or heart disease, depending upon the shading.
- Circle or Square with a Horizontal Line Through It: It represents an individual with a disability. Some other symbols represent conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Diabetes, and Depression.
Tip: Family tree symbols
You may be surprised by the complex symbols and lines of the genogram. This is understandable. Normally, making a genogram is much more difficult than a basic family tree.
So, medical history, emotional issues, and other details like death and birth are not important to your presentation, consider making an easier family tree.
Compared to complex genogram symbols, a family tree is more relaxing. All you need to add are some lines. There's no requirement for colors or formats. Just lines to connect two people.
Here's one easy sample of a three-generation family tree. Just replace the squares and circles with the profile pictures of the family members. Done! An easy family tree is served.
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Part II. Tips for Using Genogram Symbols
The vast library of symbols in Genogram can help you identify patterns, identify risks, and make better decisions about your health and well-being.
Here are some tips you can follow to make genogram symbols more effective:
Use the correct symbols:
To appropriately portray family members and ties, use the appropriate genogram symbols. If unsure about the correct use of symbols, consult a guide or an expert.
Be consistent:
For clarity, maintain consistency with chosen genogram symbols.
Use colors:
Use consistent colors to indicate information like physical issues, types of relationships, and emotional dynamics in your genogram. Include a key describing what each color means.
Add notes:
Add comments to your genogram to give more information on family members and connections, such as medical issues, dates of birth and death, and other critical details.
Remember to use symbols to represent critical events. For example, you could use a symbol to represent a divorce or a death. By using these suggestions, you can make a genogram that is both educational and meaningful to you individually. Genogram symbols can be used to represent a wide range of information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, genogram symbols play a vital part in expressing family dynamics. Each symbol holds a specific meaning and can convey essential information. Genogram symbols can effectively represent family history. The significance of these symbols lies in communicating complex relationships to both creators and viewers of genograms. Consistently using symbols enables individuals to grasp family structures, fostering a deeper understanding of generational patterns, medical conditions, and emotional dynamics. Genogram symbols are essentially a potent therapeutic tool for understanding family dynamics and histories.
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