by APOLLO HOSPITALS
Sometimes they are distant.
Sometimes they are violent.
They may even be sad, lost or just tired all the time.
Depression is different for different people. And it’s not always easy to know for sure that it is depression. But it’s not that difficult to tell if something is wrong when someone you love & care about becomes a victim of this disease.
However, while your loved ones struggle with depression, you may experience a multitude of emotions yourself. Not being able to help your loved one can leave you feeling frustrated and angry. When your loved ones go through depression, you can get exhausted as well. Knowing what to do, and how to help them fight this disease is very important in such a scenario.
How can you help?
- Look out for these signs
Your loved ones may ignore the signs and symptoms of depression, and pass them off as irrelevant. It is your responsibility to notice them. Seek help if you notice that your loved one:
- Has lost interest in things.
- Expresses negative attitude very often.
- Frequently complains of aches and pains.
- Sleeps too much or too little.
- Overindulges in drinking, smoking or food.
- Don’t Underestimate
Similar to any other serious ailment, depression is a disease that requires proper care and treatment. It drains the person’s motivation, energy, and optimism. Asking someone to ‘get a hold of things’ or undermining the toll depression takes on them is not the right thing to do. Snapping out of depression just on the basis of will power may not be possible for them.
- Be Compassionate & Understanding
It’s far more important to listen and just be there than to give advice. Encourage your loved one to share his or her feelings, thoughts or fears. A single conversation will not be enough to solve the problem. Keep talking, and let the person know that they have nothing to be ashamed about.
What to say:
- I’m here for you.
- I may not understand, but I care.
- Tell me what I can do to help you.
What not to say:
- It’s all in your head.
- Just snap out of it.
- What’s wrong with you?
- Encourage Treatment
It may be hard for the person who is depressed to accept that they need professional help. However, proper medical treatment is essential to recover completely in most cases. If someone you love suffers from this disease, you need to ensure that they get proper medical treatment.
While your loved one recovers from depression, you can make their struggle easier by paying close attention. Your support can give them the strength they need to be #StrongerThanDepression.
Join their fight and help them win over this disease.