Depression (cont.)
How can someone help a person who is depressed?
Family and friends can help! Since depression can make the affected person
feel exhausted and helpless, he or she will want and probably need help from
others. However, people who have never had a depressive disorder may not fully
understand its effect. Although unintentional, friends and loved ones may
unknowingly say and do things that may be hurtful to the depressed person. It
may help to share the information in this article with those you most care about
so they can better understand and help you.
The most important thing anyone can do for the depressed person is to help
him or her get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. This help may involve
encouraging the individual to stay with treatment until symptoms begin to go
away (usually several weeks) or to seek different treatment if no improvement
occurs. On occasion, it may require making an appointment and accompanying the
depressed person to the doctor. It may also mean monitoring whether the
depressed person is taking medication for several months after symptoms have improved. Always report a worsening depression to
the patient's physician or therapist.
The second most important way to help is to offer emotional support. This
support involves understanding, patience, affection, and encouragement. Engage
the depressed person in conversation and listen carefully. Do not disparage
feelings expressed, but point out realities and offer hope. Do not ignore
remarks about suicide. Always report them to the depressed person's therapist.
Invite the depressed person for walks, outings, and to the movies and other
activities. Be gently insistent if your invitation is refused. Encourage
participation in activities that once gave pleasure, such as hobbies, sports, or
religious or cultural activities. However, do not push the depressed person to
undertake too much too soon. The depressed person needs company and diversion,
but too many demands can increase feelings of failure.
Do not accuse the depressed person of faking illness or of laziness. Do not
expect him or her "to snap out of it." Eventually, with treatment,
most depressed people do get better. Keep that in mind. Moreover, keep
reassuring the depressed person that, with time and help, he or she will feel
better.
Next: Where can one seek help for depression? »
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