There was a thread earlier from someone trying to find a book about a depressed mum that really reminded me of one I read and loved at around the same time - late 80s, early 90s.
It was set in America and the mother obsessively played solitaire at the height of her depression (this bit sticks as its something I did).
The story follows her life as a young girl through until her children are young adults.
She has a deaf son who is in an accident while she is asleep, I can't remember if this causes his deafness or he is already deaf.
Her husband is abusive and controlling and keeps her in line by threatening to tell their kids her 'dark secret'. Turn out the secret is really tame, a brief affair with a female friend, and her daughter couldn't care less!
At one point there is a really vivid description of her depression, I think it was described as a tiger, and it was stalking her.
Does this ring any bells with anyone at all?!