It can be tough when you discover that a friend or family member is showing signs of depression. You may not know how you can help them and you might feel somewhat powerless to do anything. However, there are some things you can do in order to help your loved one handle their depression. Here are just a few tips to help you help them.
Tips On Helping A Loved One Handle Their Depression
1. Talk to your friend or family member in a gentle, respectful way. Don’t tell them to “snap out of it” or “get over it.” Even if you don’t understand depression, realize that it is a real illness for them. A depressed person cannot cheer up overnight. Often it’s not a matter of cheer. They simply just don’t feel well. Don’t make them feel badly because they are simply not up to being their old self.
2. Find out more about depression. You owe it to your loved one to understand their illness as much as you can. Most of all, read about the symptoms of depression and read about how depressed people feel about their lives. You can even join a support group to talk to other family members and friends of depressed people. By interacting with others who know what you’re dealing with, you can learn some ideas that will help you better handle their depression loved one.
3. Let them know that you are always there for them. This is something that you can never stop doing. Even if you don’t know what to say to comfort them, or if they don’t seem like they want comforting, be sure to tell them that they can always talk to you and that you care about them. Even in the deepest recesses of depression, if they know you are there for them, that will helping loved one handle their depression.
4. Do activities with them. Even if you think they will not accept, offer to go places with your depressed love one. Getting them out of their house allows them to focus on something else instead of internalizing their feelings. Going out also helps them to have a good time, which is something they are usually not doing at home. Get them to do activities they enjoy; be the one that sets up the event, because depressed people can have a hard time making plans.
5. Encourage them to see a professional. A therapist or a doctor can provide help you cannot. If you find out that they are already seeing a medical professional, do your best to avoid embarrassing them and making them feel bad about it. After all, a medical professional is a medical professional–how would you feel if they were seeing an eye doctor? It’s all the same, as long as they can get the help they need. If you feel they are in danger of hurting themselves, contact a doctor right away.
You should always allow your loved one to talk to you, and always be there for support. Take their illness seriously and encourage them to see a doctor or a therapist. And by using the tips in this article, you can help them deal with everything a bit better.