How to Help Someone With Depression
If you suspect your friend or loved one is depressed, the first thing you should do is seek out support. Find a trusted friend or family member to talk to about your feelings. While you should not discuss the depression in detail, you should be as objective as possible. Focus on your own emotions and choose someone who is not tempted to judge or interrupt. These people will be more than willing to listen to you, and will help you understand the feelings and thoughts of the person who is depressed.
What Are The Signs Of Depression
The signs of depression include persistent feeling of sadness, lack of energy, and a negative attitude. The symptoms of depression worsen overtime and can affect a person’s ability to function, work, or maintain relationships. Once diagnosed, treatment options include antidepressants and anxiolytics. In addition to feeling sad most of the time, a person suffering from depression can be hunched over and display listless eyes. Cry-streaks, low self-esteem, and feelings of blame are also common signs of depression.
Although it’s common to feel sad, lonely, and depressed from time to time, if these feelings are chronic and last for months or even years, it may be a sign of depression. Depression is a serious mental illness that prevents a person from living a normal life. If you suspect you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. If left untreated, depressive symptoms can linger for months or years, causing physical and mental pain and even leading to suicide for 1 in 10 people.
What Are The Symptoms Of Depression
The core symptoms of depression include an overall low mood, an inability to concentrate, loss of interest in activities, and a general lack of motivation. While a qualified medical professional can accurately diagnose depression, these warning signs can help you spot the signs and seek immediate help. In some cases, a medical professional can prescribe antidepressants to help alleviate the symptoms. Often, the symptoms of depression can vary from person to person, so it’s important to consult a physician if you notice any of these symptoms.
If you’re worried about depression, try keeping a gratitude journal. Journaling your daily blessings and achievements can be therapeutic. Similarly, if you’re struggling with feeling blue or depressed, try to get more exercise. You can also try joining a local gym or taking up an individual sport. If you’re feeling particularly depressed, try to postpone making important decisions until you feel better. Another helpful tip is to learn about depression. You can also try eating foods with mood-boosting effects, such as bananas, dark chocolate, and milk.
How To Support Somone With Depression
First and foremost, if you love someone with depression, learn as much as you can about the disorder and how to support them. You shouldn’t try to “cure” them. Instead, offer support, and help them stick to a treatment plan. This can include a healthy diet and adequate sleep. If you notice that they are unable to cope with everyday tasks, consider offering to help them. If their depression is severe, help them reach out for professional help.
When your loved one has an episode of depression, encourage them to do something active. It can be as simple as taking a walk together. Try to be persistent and pitch in with little tasks. Remember to limit your own activities, too, to prevent yourself from getting burned out. When possible, limit the number of times you do something for them. Make sure they know they are not burdening you with too much help. If they don’t show any sign of improvement, you can always contact emergency services.
How to talk to someone about depression
If you’re not sure how to talk to someone with depression, start by keeping a few things in mind. You should remember that they may already be talking to a therapist about their depression and may be using this time to get their thoughts under control. Depression can make someone feel hopeless and mad at themselves. Be encouraging and do your best not to judge them. Moreover, don’t give advice and give solutions; this will make you sound judgemental.
Remember that talking about depression can be uncomfortable and tough, but it’s crucial to show support. People who are suffering from depression are often reluctant to open up, so it’s important to encourage them to do so. You can do this by asking them what they need. Be sensitive, but don’t dismiss their feelings, as this can make the situation worse. Try to understand that these issues are real and that they need a treatment. If you try to force the conversation, the person with depression may feel defensive, and you’ll only be making matters worse.
Encouraging the person to get help with their depression
If you suspect that someone you love is struggling with depression, you should encourage them to seek help. Sometimes, they are able to make the decision on their own, but there are times when they are not. If you feel the need to encourage the person, you should first ask them if they are willing to get help. Never pressurize them, though. Sometimes, people feel afraid to seek help because they don’t know what to do. They may be unsure of what to expect and whether or not they’ll be able to recover. Regardless of the person’s resistance, they need support, reassurance, and information to get through this difficult time.
Offer to help. Encourage the person with depression to go to a doctor’s appointment. Often, they don’t want to see a doctor, but you can still offer suggestions. The person with depression may feel more comfortable talking about their condition if you listen to their suggestions and don’t insist on a particular type of treatment. If the person with depression isn’t ready to talk about it, offer to make phone calls or arrange transportation for the doctor.
