Ways To Help And Support A Loved One With Depression
Depression ranks among the top mental health issues in the United States. It can lead an individual to experience feelings of sadness, despair, and a lack of self-worth. Factors such as genetics, significant life events, shifts in hormones, and various psychological problems can initiate depression.
It can take the life out of everyday activities, such as going to work or school or taking care of oneself. While there are many treatments for depression, not everyone who suffers from it gets help. This is because people don’t know how to recognize the signs of depression or are embarrassed to ask for help. If you think your loved one might be depressed, it’s essential to reach out and help them. They don’t have to suffer in silence.
Try and connect with them
Dealing with a loved one battling depression can be an emotional roller coaster. You want to do everything you can to help, but sometimes it feels like you’re not doing anything.
Studies reveal that 34% of Chicago’s adolescents had symptoms of depression for two or more weeks in a row, preventing them from engaging in everyday activities. If you have an adolescent displaying these symptoms, don’t wait to see if they’ll get better on their own. Reach out and offer your support. Taking part in activities like painting, playing basketball, and having a picnic together can provide some distraction from their depression.
Help them get a treatment:
There is a huge taboo associated with mental illness, so people are often afraid to seek help. They may not want to take the traditional route of seeing a therapist or counselor. In this case, you can take them to a ketamine clinic in Chicago or any other state/neighborhood you reside in for a more alternative form of treatment.
Ketamine therapy is a new and innovative way to treat depression. It effectively reduces depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It works by targeting a specific brain area responsible for these conditions. Ketamine therapy can help your loved one feel better and get their life back on track.
Support them financially
Depression can lead to financial problems. Many people with depression lose their job or have to take a pay cut. It can make it challenging to pay bills and support personal and familial needs.
Offer financial assistance if you have enough resources. It can take a lot of pressure off them and enable them to concentrate on getting better. You can also help them by creating a budget or financial plan. It will give them a roadmap to follow and help them get their finances back on track.
Offer to help with the daily routine
Depression can make it difficult to take a shower or brush your teeth, much less go out for groceries or do dishes. If you volunteer to assist them with their daily routine, you can help them make their day a little manageable. Laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, and cleaning are all ways you can help.
Doing so will also allow you to check on them without making it too obvious. You can look for signs their depression is getting worse or if they are starting to improve. You can also stir a conversation to learn if they regularly show up for work or school.
Learn about depression more
There’s never enough information on depression. The more you know, the more help you can offer. Read books, listen to podcasts, and talk to experts. It will help you understand what your loved one is going through and how you can best support them.
You must also lookup for the triggers and causes of depression to help your loved one avoid them. You will also learn more about what makes their condition worse.
It’s also important to learn about the different treatments for depression. This way, you’ll know what options are best for your loved one.
Become their cheerleader
Your loved one needs someone in their corner who believes in them. They need reassurance from someone that things will get better and that they are not alone.
Be their cheerleader and offer them hope when they are feeling down. It can be the push they need to keep going.
Pick up a small thing they achieved and make it a big deal. For instance, be big on appreciation for cooking a meal (even if it’s instant noodles) or how they were able to get out of bed and take a shower today. These may seem like small accomplishments, but they are a big deal for someone with depression.
Set goals for them
You can also help them by setting goals with them. Achievable short-term goals will help them see that they are making progress. It will also give them something to work towards.
You can start with simple goals like taking a walk every day or making the bed in the morning. As they accomplish these goals, you can gradually make them more challenging. Setting realistic and attainable goals is imperative. Otherwise, it will only set them up for disappointment.
Hold them accountable
It may break hearts to acknowledge, but you may not be there for them all the time. You need to take care of yourself too. You can still help them by holding them accountable for their actions. It includes both their goals and their overall progress.
You can do this by checking in with them regularly or setting up a system where they have to check in with you. It will help you stay updated on their progress and ensure they stay on track.
It can also be a means of offering assistance without being intrusive. They will know you are there for them, yet they will retain their individuality.
Be prepared for emergencies
Unfortunately, vanquishing one type of depression does not guarantee that the next will not return. There’s always a chance of a relapse, especially during adversity.
Be prepared for emergencies by having a plan. This way, you can act quickly if things start to go downhill. Your plan should include:
- Their emergency contact information
- Local mental health resources
- A list of people they can talk to
You should also list things that make them feel better – listening to music or reading a book.
Conclusion
It’s difficult to persuade someone to seek therapy for their depression, but you can encourage them. Let your loved one know you’re there and that you want to assist them in getting better. Depression is a severe illness, but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Before you step into the zone, understand that belittling them or not taking their situation seriously can backfire and make things worse.
