Supporting Someone
With Depression
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Someone with depression may be unable
or unwilling to ask for help. That's why partners, parents,
adult children and friends need to be proactive about getting — and
staying — involved. Having consistent support from
friends and family can play a crucial role in helping someone
seek treatment.
Providing effective support
It's painful to watch someone you love suffer, and you may at times feel helpless.
Supporting someone with depression requires patience and persistence.
Advocacy groups and mental health organizations
have shared a number of tips for friends and family:
- Learn as much as you can to understand
depression—and stay informed about new advances
in treatment.
- Encourage your depressed friend or family member to seek professional help.
- If the person is already undergoing treatment, encourage him or her to
stick with it.
- Accompany your loved one to doctor appointments and help remind them about
their medication. Depressed people often have trouble staying on top of things,
so it can be helpful when family and friends provide backup.
- Encourage the person to participate in some of the activities he or she
used to enjoy, but don't force it. Suggest low-key outings that feel doable.
- Help set realistic expectations about treatment. It may be several weeks
before medication takes effect. Learn more about treatment for
depression.
- Give your loved one permission to take it slow. Point out that if they
were recovering from a heart attack or serious injury, they wouldn't necessarily
rush back to work or expect to resume all their household responsibilities.
- Have a crisis plan. If your friend or family member seems preoccupied with
death or talks about suicide, seek immediate help. Call his or her doctor
or 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Caring for yourself
It's a cliché, but it's true—you can't take
good care of someone else if you don't take care of yourself.
That can be a challenge when a loved one, particularly
a spouse, is depressed.
Taking care of yourself includes eating well, exercising and getting enough rest.
Here are some other recommended strategies:
- Create a "support
staff." Enlist
other people to shoulder some of the responsibilities.
- Take time to recharge.
Go see a movie. Go for a walk. Spend time with friends.
- Set limits. You
don't have to be on duty 24 hours a day.
- Don't be afraid
to seek professional help. Consider going to individual
counseling or family therapy.
- Remember that you're
not alone. Look for support groups where you can connect
with people in similar situations.
- Stay hopeful. The
majority of people respond well to treatment, especially
with the latest advances in medication.
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