How to Help Someone With Depression?

When someone is going through depression, it can be like a feeling of storm in their mind. You may feel vulnerable, confused or having no idea how you can help other person while they are having a lot of chaos in their life.one should not hesitate that how they can help but for the sake of humanity one should always come upfront and try to help another person as much as they can. there is no need that a person should professionally trained to help other.

The first step is to understand what depression is all about and to understand that it’s not a phase where people can just change themselves by thinking positively or it’s just a mood swing which is for less period of time and it can easily be solve in some time. But depression is a serious problem which needed to be resolve as it can impact on people’s mental health where people are not in a way where he or she can think in a proper manner and can take sound decisions in their life.

Also Read : What is Mental Illness?

Table of Contents

What Does Depression Really Look Like?

Not every person who is coping with depression will experience the same symptoms. There will be a different reaction for different people who are dealing with depression. The various symptoms can be a person seems to be calm some will show irritable behavior and disconnecting from the real world. Others manage their pain with their smile, making it difficult to know about the real things and then it becomes late to help.

Here are a few signs that you are suffering from depression:

Sad and they don’t have any idea that what they have to do
Loosing interest.
Their sleeping and eating habits can change from the usual timings
They will feel that they are useless and they are good for nothing
Their feel tired very early and loose interest in everything

This is not due to laziness. These experiences arise from genuine emotional and physical changes in the brain.

Listen Without Judgment

When you’re helping someone with depression, .one should not hesitate that how they can help but for the sake of humanity one should always come upfront and try to help another person as much as they can. there is no need that a person should professionally trained to help other by only listening to them that what they feel can help them a lot and giving any assistance is one of the best things you can do for them

Let them know you are willing and able to hear what they have to say let them say whatever is running in their mind and just act like you understand what they are trying to say so that they can get more comfortable in front of you.

It will be so helpful for them that they will just start believing in you more and the comfortless they will have with you will not have for someone else just by assuring them that you are always with them no matter what can help them a lot.

Offer Small Real-Life Help

People with depression struggle with every task that you take for granted. Things that are simple for you, like getting out of the bed, doing laundry, or answering a message, may feel very difficult for them. Often, your empathy, kindness, and reassurance are enough.

Try to offer help in a few small ways, such as

Offering a meal or snack
Sitting with them while they do some chores
Helping them schedule a doctor or therapy appointment
Going for a walk
Being understanding

Gently Encourage Professional Help

Sometimes, you might not be able to fix everything by yourself—and that is completely OK. Depression usually needs a trained professional. Therapy, medication, or a combination of the two can help someone feel better about themselves and also create strategies for coping.

If your loved one is open to it, you could help them:

Find a therapist or doctor, and if they are open to it, offer to go with them to their first appointment.
Remind your loved one or friend asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength.

If your loved one is not open to the idea of getting help, do not push the issue. You can let them know there are options out there if they ever want it, you will be there to support them if they decide to take that step.

Respect your loved one’s need for space but keep in touch.

People who experience depression are inclined to avoid phone calls, or cancel plans, or suddenly go quiet for a bit. This is not personal – it is the illness. They may not have whatever it takes that day as they feel like a failed version of themselves or they are worked out and drained and just cannot muster of the effort to communicate during rough days.

Continue to be kind. This can involve sending a short text, a silly picture or mat, whatever. Simply check-in every now and then, to remind the person you care. It does not matter whether they feel like they don’t need to respond right away. Remember, your quiet presence can be a safe place

Take Care of Yourself

Supporting someone with depression can feel heavy. You may feel drained, annoyed, or just emotionally worn out. That is completely normal. To be able to show up for someone else, you have to care for yourself, too.

Vent to someone about how you are feeling. Place boundaries on what you need to do It is good to take a break or step back for your mental health. You’re not abandoning them; you are taking time to recharge so you can continue to show up for them with care.

What Not to Do –

There is no possible way to be helpful without virtuous intentions, but certain behaviors can do more harm than good. You want to try and avoid:

Saying “just snap out of it,” “and positive thinking” is not going to help them.
Trying to fix all of their problems for them.
Telling them, “I have been through worse” or something similar about your own feelings
Ignoring their feelings or trying to be lighthearted about their feelings
Giving up, even if they seem disconnected

Also Read : What are the Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder?

Conclusion-

Supporting someone with depression doesn’t mean that you have to make everything better and have to answer everything they want. it just you have to be with them no matter what and deal with them with patience and having kindness for them without judging them and make them feel that they have support of you, at least they have you in their hard times. Every little bit of love counts and it doesn’t have to be perfect.