Living with depression affects everyone in the household. Family members are generally at a loss as to how to help, or what to do. Naturally, the negative emotions draw everyone down. Seeing a loved one suffering from clinical depression adversely affects friends and family, exacerbating the circumstances even further. For the mental health of everyone concerned, learn how to help a loved one deal with depression.
Be Informed
The first step is to learn everything possible about depression and how it is treated. Begin by reviewing the symptoms of depression. In a list compiled by the Mayo Clinic, is the behavior recognizable? Does a loved one:
- Loss of interest in normal daily activities
- Feeling sad or down
- Feeling hopeless
- Crying spells for no apparent reason
- Problems sleeping or oversleeping
- Trouble focusing or concentrating
- Difficulty making decisions
- Unintentional weight gain or loss
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Being easily annoyed
- Feeling fatigued or weak
- Feeling worthless
- Loss of interest in sex
- Thoughts of suicide or suicidal behavior
- Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
Obviously, some of the signs will not be applicable. However, if a loved one has more than one of the symptoms, for an extended period, it is time to seek help.
Talk about the Signs of Depression
Talking about concerns may be the most difficult conversation a loved one has with a clinically depressed person, but it has to be done. In many cases, the individual may not even recognize the problem. Alternatively, it is simply too hard to admit having a mental disorder.In either situation, a loved one needs to know that caring and concern does not stop if physical or mental health is challenged.
Begin by letting the loved one know that you are concerned because of the symptoms of depression observed. Be honest, and avoid being judgmental. Suggest a visit to the family physician to rule out any physical causes for the depression. Explain that some people exhibit depression due to an illness that has yet to be discovered.
Then, talk about learning that clinical depression is usually successfully treated, regardless of the source of the deep sadness. Offer to make the initial appointment and to accompany the loved one, as a source of moral support. Let them know that they are not alone.
Next, offer to sit down and write a list of questions or concerns to bring up at the doctor’s visit. Do not wait until right before the appointment to write down everything. Leave the list lying around, and add to it, if a thought or question comes up. Reassure the loved one that subsequent visits will be a joint venture, if desired. Express a willingness to attend family therapy, if it will be helpful.
Remember, if the symptoms are severe and the loved one is ill or contemplating suicide now is not the time to discuss observation and newfound knowledge. Get help immediately. Call the doctor, the hospital, or an ambulance. Intervene right away.
Support
A good friend or family member provides valuable support to an individual dealing with clinical depression. Some people feel they have to ‘fix it’. But, the best support is simply listening and providing positive reinforcement.
However, it may also be necessary to make sure the loved one takes any daily medication or remembers to keep therapy appointments. Oftentimes, when a person starts to feel better, he/she starts to think the medication and mental health therapy are no longer necessary. Then, the individual quickly digresses back into clinical depression.
A low-stress environment is absolutely essential to encouraging better mental health. For many people, a cluttered and disorderly home is a source of stress and sadness. Simply organizing the home can make a big difference. But, it is more than how the home looks. Schedules are helpful for individuals with clinical depression. Knowing when to take medicines, eat meals, sleep, exercise, and more, is so important. Routine leaves very little to chance. No surprises can relieve potential stress, and make it easier to cope with life.
Next, offer to take over the daily duties that seem to cause more stress. For example, if balancing the checkbook seems to contribute to depression, suggest assuming that particular chore. For the time being, removing stressors is a great asset, in the effort to return to mental health.
Finally, support a loved one by inviting him/her to take a walk, go out for lunch, work on a hobby together. While force and pressure to participate are not recommended, engaging a person to get involved is very beneficial and even therapeutic.
So, if you have a loved one with clinical depression, now you have some ideas to help the whole family cope with the mental illness. With the right skills and medical interventions, life can be happy again.