Depression is a mental illness that impacts how a person feels, thinks, and behaves. It can cause a person to feel sad, hopeless, and worthless. There is no specific manual on dealing with a loved one suffering from depression, but there are some things that can help. Here are five tips that may be able to assist you as you try to support your loved one during this difficult time. Remember, every situation is unique, so use what works for you and discard what doesn’t. You are going through this together, and that’s what counts the most.
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Be A Good Listener
People with depression frequently feel isolated and alone in their thoughts. They may not want to burden friends or family with their pain, so they keep it all inside. When your loved one is ready to open up to you, listen carefully and make eye contact. Don’t interrupt or put down what they are saying; give them one if they need a shoulder to cry on. Suppose this person keeps everything bottled up inside of them. In that case, eventually, they will explode in some way, shape, or form – whether verbally or physically because the pressure is too much for anyone to handle.
Most Importantly, Love Them For Who They Are
Your loved one may not be acting like their usual self. Perhaps they are spending more time locked in their bedroom or skipping family gatherings because they aren’t feeling up to it – this is where you come in. Don’t try to change them; the OCD-like behavior of trying to get your loved one to snap out of their funk will only make things worse for both parties involved. Let them know that you love them unconditionally and that you’re willing to work through whatever problems the two of you may have down the line.
Take Care Of Yourself Too
If you don’t take care of yourself, you will feel worse than before because the pressure and stress you put on yourself is frequently much more difficult to manage than anything else you encounter in life. Dealing with a loved one with depression is hard work, so make sure you schedule some time for yourself every day to relax and unwind without having to worry about your loved one or anything else that may be going on in your life at the moment. You need time to focus on your health as well.
Learn More About The Disorder
Even though depression is a common mental illness, there are still many misconceptions about what it entails. People assume that because someone has depression, they should “snap out of it” or think that the individual doesn’t have enough willpower to move past their depression. Researching the disorder will help you learn more about what your loved one is going through and how you can best support them. You may want to consider attending counseling sessions with them so that both you and your loved one are on the same page when dealing with their disease.
Be There For Them, And Don’t Judge.
Yes, everyone gets depressed from time to time. However, people who suffer from depression experience a much more complex and enduring form of sadness than someone might feel when they get hurt. They may not know what’s triggering the depressive episodes, so it’s best to just be there for them without any judgment or criticism. You can’t expect your loved one to get better overnight; it will take time and patience before you see significant changes in their behavior.
Avoid Getting Upset About Their Behavior
It can be hard to watch someone you care about struggle with depression, and it’s even harder when you don’t know what to say or do. Because you value your loved ones, you may begin blaming yourself for not being able to help them more or provide a solution that will ease their pain. In some cases, people may become angry because they feel as if the individual is just being “dramatic” or too caught up in their issues to bother fixing anything. Although you have every right to feel this way sometimes, remember that anger doesn’t solve anything – so avoid getting upset with your loved one once you realize how they are feeling.
Let Them Know That They Are Not Alone
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 16 million adults had at least one major depressive episode last year. It is estimated that close to 20 percent of the population will suffer from depressive disorder in their lifetime. You are not alone in this; there are millions of people worldwide that can relate to your struggles with depression and who will be open to sharing their stories with you when times get tough.
Conclusion
Although it’s not always easy to deal with someone who is suffering from depression, there are ways you can show your love and support without having to say much via body language. Let them know they are loved, that you will be there for them when they need you the most, and that things get better with time. Although the road may be bumpy sometimes, in the end, your patience and understanding will lead to a stronger relationship than before.
