How to Help Someone Suffering From Depression
Depression is a very serious, pervasive mental health issue in our society…yet it’s rarely spoken about in public circles. Unfortunately, this lack of conversation often makes sufferers feel even worse about their struggles – like nobody understands them or cares.
If you have a loved one who suffers from depression, then you need to provide support.
The Pervasiveness of Depression
The human mind is capable of feeling all kinds of emotions. Whether it’s stress, sadness, or grief, these feelings naturally come and go. Sometimes they last for just a few minutes, while sometimes it takes days to recover. For some people, however, emotions don’t dissipate, and depression sets in.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7.6 percent of people 12 years of age and older suffer from depression in any two-week period. In 2012, at least 16 million American adults had major depressive episodes.
In other words, depression isn’t an isolated issue that only affects a few people here and there. Chances are pretty high that a friend or loved one is currently dealing with depression, or will in the future.
3 Ways You Can Help
While you can’t control someone’s thoughts or prevent depression, you can ensure you’re around to lend a helping hand in their time of need.
Here are some safe and healthy ways you can be of service:
- Recognize the Signs of Depression
Since most people are unwilling to share their feelings – or may even actively try to hide them – your biggest responsibility is to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression. While every individual responds differently, some of the emotional and physical symptoms include:
- Extreme irritability
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Loss of interest in activities
- Thoughts of death and suicide
- Chronic fatigue and insomnia
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
When you know the symptoms of depression, you can be more in tune with your surroundings. This will help you identify issues in the future, and possibly even in your own life.
- Understand How to Talk to the Individual
The majority of depression symptoms are nonverbal and you must recognize them. “Sometimes we have a tendency not to speak up because we’re uncomfortable and we think we may embarrass them,” says Jamie Cvengros, a clinical psychologist at Rush University Medical Center. “But our discomfort in talking about depression is often the thing that makes it hard for people with depression to reach out and ask for help.”
Be a good friend and talk about these things. Confront them in a compassionate manner and simply let them know that you’re there for them if something’s going on in their life. Never accuse them of being depressed, but instead let them know that you’ve noticed something seems to be wrong. This gives them the option to discuss the issue.
Don’t expect one conversation to fix things, though. You need to be gentle and persistent over time. After you’ve had a few conversations with the individual about their depression, you may earn the right to be firmer in the future. For now, keep things very casual.
- Know When to Recommend Professional Help
Finally, it’s crucial that you recognize when professional help is needed. If a friend or loved one ever discusses death and suicide in a serious manner, you should call 911. You don’t want to lose their trust, but you certainly don’t want them to lose their life.
Take Depression Seriously
If you’ve never suffered from depression, then it can be very difficult to understand where people are coming from. However, it’s important that you study up on this pervasive illness and learn how to respond in an appropriate and healthy manner.