Do you have a loved one who is suffering from depression? It’s not a problem.
Based on the most recent estimates of the National Institute of Mental Health that just over 7 percent out of U.S. adults experienced an episode of major depression during the year. According to the World Health Organization says, about 300 million Trusted Source adults and children suffer from depression.
Recognizing depression-related symptoms within a loved one
There aren’t all people who experience depressive symptoms exactly the same manner and the symptoms are different for each person.
In the event that your loved one is suffering from depression, they might:
- are more tearful or sad as compared to normal
- look more pessimistic or seem gloomy regarding the future.
- discuss feeling empty, guilty or unimportant more frequently than normal
- are less likely to want to spend time together or communicate less frequently than they usually would
- Get easily annoyed or appear to be unusually angry
- are less energetic than normal are sluggish, slow to move, or appear to be apathetic
- are less interested in their appearance than they do in the past or do not take care of basic hygiene, like showering and brushing their teeth.
- are having trouble sleeping or have difficulty sleeping longer than normal
- are less concerned about their normal hobbies and interests
- are more likely to forget or are having difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Eat more or less than normal
- Talk about suicide or death
How can you help?
These 10 suggestions can aid you in becoming an advocate for someone who is depressed.
1. Start a conversation
Let your friend know that you’re there to help you. Start the conversation by sharing your worries and asking them a specific question.
For example, you might say:
- “It appears that you’ve had a difficult time of late. What’s going on in your head?”
- “You said you’re going through tough times recently What are you feeling about all this?”
Be aware that your friend may wish to discuss how they think, but they might not be seeking any advice.
Connect with your friend making use of active listening techniques:
- Ask questions to gain more information , not assuming that you know what they mean.
- Accept your clients’ feelings. It could be, “That sounds really difficult. I’m sorry to hear that.”
- Express your empathy and show interest through the way you speak.
Your friend might not be able to talk at first It can be beneficial to keep showing them how much you love them.
Continue to ask open-ended questions (without pushing) and express your concerns. Try to communicate in person as often as possible. If you are in different parts of the world, you can try video chat.
2. Help them find help
Your friend might not realize they’re suffering from depression or might not know how to seek help.
Even if they are aware that therapy can assist, it’s difficult to find the right therapist and schedule an appointment.
If you know someone who is inclined to seek counseling, you can offer to assist them in reviewing possible counselors. You can assist your friend to identify questions to ask prospective therapy providers and what they’d like to discuss during their first meeting.
Encourage them and help the first appointment could be beneficial if they’re having difficulties dealing with it.
3. Encourage them to continue therapy
In the event of a bad day, your friend may not be able to leave the home. Depression can sap the energy of a person and trigger a desire to isolate yourself.
If they tell you such as “I believe I’m about to postpone my therapy appointment,” insist that they stick to it.
It could be that you be thinking, “Last week you said that your session was extremely efficient and you were feeling much better afterward. What if the session today helps as well?”
This is the same for the medication. If your friend decides to stop taking medication due to unfavorable negative side negative effects Be supportive but also encourage them to talk with their doctor about switching to another antidepressant or stopping their treatment completely.
Stopping antidepressants abruptly without the guidance of medical professionals could have grave effects. Typically, speaking with an expert in healthcare prior to stopping medication can help prevent health issues.
4. Make sure you take good care of yourself
If you are concerned about those who suffer from depression, It’s tempting to let go of everything to be at their side and help them. It’s perfectly normal to want to assist a friend however, it’s equally important to consider your personal requirements.
