Yet, the harsh reality is that depression is on the increase among men, women and even teens.
Perhaps the worst thing about it is that depression often seems like a pervasive dark cloud that engulfs all aspects of our loved one’s lives while we’re at a loss on how to help them.
However, instead of feeling helpless, you can learn how to help your loved one cope with depression. Here’s what you can do:
Educate yourself.
The more you learn about depression (causes, symptoms, effects on people, and treatment) the more confident you’ll feel about talking to and helping the person you care about cope with the illness.
Everyone experiences depression differently and it doesn’t always look like debilitating sadness. Learning the typical signs and symptoms of depression specific to your family member can help you identify their triggers as well as clue you in whenever their condition worsens.
Encourage your loved one to seek treatment.
In some cases, those struggling with depression might attribute their symptoms to stress or burn out. They may think what they’re going through is normal or they might be ashamed to seek help, mistakenly believing they can cope on their own.
This is where you come in to encourage them to seek help. It’s important to understand that there’s no “one size fits all” treatment to cure depression. However, there is a range of effective treatment options available ranging from medication, therapy and lifestyle changes (better nutrition, sports etc.) that can help your loved one overcome depression.
Understand the risk of suicide and look out for warning signs.
Those dealing with depression are at an increased risk of suicide. This isn’t meant to alarm you but to prepare you for the possibility that your loved one might, at some point, feel suicidal.
Talk to your loved one about your concerns and ask if they’ve been having suicidal thoughts. Also stay alert for any warning signs of suicide such as talking about death, saying they’re feeling trapped, withdrawal etc. Take such signs seriously and seek help from a mental health provider or call a suicide hotline number. It’s also a good idea to alert other family members and close friends about the situation and to enlist their assistance.
Provide a shoulder to lean on.
While you can’t “fix” a depressed person, there’s a lot more you can do to help them feel better. For instance, you can encourage them to stick to their treatment, accompany them to therapy sessions, provide positive reinforcement whenever they are down and offer assistance in taking care of some daily chores and activities. Most of all, be willing to listen without judgment whenever they want to talk and unburden themselves. That simple act means a lot.
Take care of yourself.
Supporting someone struggling with depression can take a toll on you so don’t forget to take care of yourself. Make time for your hobbies, friendships and other aspects of your own life so you don’t end up feeling worn out and frustrated.
Remember, your loved one can overcome depression but it takes time. Be patient and let them know they have your unconditional love and support, regardless of what they’re going through.
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This post is republished on Medium.
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Photo credit: Anthony Tran on Unsplash