Depression is more than simply feeling blue; it's an untreatable medical condition requiring professional assistance and treatment.
Heidi Kling PhD, points out that people living with depression often feel guilty for needing assistance or disappointing others, which may prevent them from seeking professional guidance. Here are a few strategies you can employ to support a friend or family member battling depression.
1. Listen
As with any illness, depression symptoms vary significantly between people. Therefore, it's crucial that we listen attentively and don't jump in with predetermined notions about how they should feel.
Remind them their feelings are valid even if they seem "out-of-character." Irritability or anger could arise; be sure they understand these are not reflections of how you feel about them.
Encourage them to seek professional therapy services; if they're resistant, ask their primary care doctor for a referral, accompany them during their first session as an observer, and offer to take notes.
2. Encourage Activity
Heidi Kling psychologist., suggests that you encourage your friend to engage in daily activities. Establishing a routine can help someone suffering from depression feel more in control of their life. For optimal success, help your friend establish eating, medication, physical activity, sleep, and house chore schedules.
Please encourage them to eat well and get enough rest, both essential components of overall mental health. Suggest an exercise program, as physical activity has been known to elevate mood.
Reassure them that you understand it may be difficult for them to attend plans or accept invitations, yet you will continue inviting them. Please encourage them to seek professional help. Help them research local mental healthcare providers and offer to accompany them for their first appointment.
3. Be Persistent
Heidi Kling Ph.D., highlights that assisting those living with depression requires time, energy, and patience. You may not observe immediate behavioral changes right away - it's common for those diagnosed to sometimes lose focus during treatment plans. Dr. Heidi Kling
Help them locate a healthcare professional and set an appointment, encouraging them to keep it. Offer to accompany them if needed as additional support. Avoid making statements such as, "Others have it worse" or "It's all in your head," which may further exacerbate their feelings of isolation while discouraging future conversations about these experiences.
4. Don't Blame
Depression can make someone snap at others or withdraw altogether, so it is crucial not to blame them for how they're feeling, as this may make them think dismissed or as though their feelings don't matter.
Reaffirm your love and support instead of criticizing. Say, "I know this has been hard for you, so please know how much I care." Perhaps offer to join them in engaging activities like walking or seeing a movie together, or help create a routine by creating meals, medication, physical activity, sleep, and socialization schedules.
5. Don't Try to Solve the Problem
Although you can offer support and encouragement, refrain from assuming the role of their therapist - this may put an undue strain on your friendship and be counterproductive.
According to Heidi Kling Ph.D., please encourage them to visit their primary-care doctor for a medical assessment to rule out conditions like thyroid dysfunction or anemia that could mimic symptoms of depression. Remind them that depression is a medical condition and treatment may likely improve its condition.
Avoid statements undermining their experience, such as "It's all in your head" or "Just cheer up." These phrases can leave the person feeling misunderstood and isolated. Remind them that everyone's experience is unique before helping them locate resources for a therapist that suits their needs.
6. Don't Say You're Right
"Just cheer up" or "You have so much to be grateful for" are simple phrases to say when someone is depressed, but such statements may come across as judgmental and dismissive. Instead, focus on encouraging them to seek professional assistance.
Remind them that depression is a mental health condition and should improve with treatment. Remind them they're not alone, and offer your love and support if needed.
If they seem reticent to seek professional assistance, offer to assist them with reviewing available resources and scheduling appointments. If they're uncomfortable discussing their pain with their primary physician, consider offering virtual visits through Talkiatry, where psychiatrists accept insurance payments.
7. Offer to Help
As per Heidi Kling Ph.D., depression can leave people feeling exhausted, so offering assistance could take many forms - for instance, picking up the phone, making a meal, or providing transportation may all help immensely. Remember that support takes different shapes for everyone, so don't offer advice without being asked!
Encourage them to follow the recommendations of their doctor and attend therapy sessions if recommended, asking what you can do to support their efforts and making sure Medicare-subsidised sessions are taken advantage of where applicable.
Lead by example and embrace a healthy lifestyle to improve your mental well-being and that of those around you. Get them involved with activities like walking, going to movies, or working together on hobbies - these will only keep their spirits high!
8. Avoid Medication
While you can encourage them, refrain from offering unwelcome advice about their medication. Doing so could be insulting and make them feel misunderstood.
Please encourage them to find a trustworthy therapist or counselor. Reaching out can be challenging for someone suffering from depression, so providing referrals or listing things they want to discuss could be invaluable in providing support and alleviating symptoms.
Remind them that depression is a medical condition caused by imbalances in mood-regulating brain chemicals, not something they can overcome by themselves, so don't minimize their feelings or criticize their medication, as this could cause them to discontinue therapy altogether.
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