Supporting loved ones with Depression

Depression is an insidious, isolating disorder, which can sabotage relationships. And this can make not knowing how to help all the more confusing.

But your support is significant.

the various ways to best support your loved one with depression.

Be there.

Sit with them while they cried, let them breathe, or wordlessly held hands, or spoke warmly with statements like

‘I'm Here ‘

‘You’re so important to me.’

‘Tell me what I can do to help you.’

‘We’re going to find a way to help you to feel better.’

Small gesture

These gestures provide a loving connection and they’re also a beacon of light that helps guide your loved one when the darkness lifts.

For example, you can simply cook a meal for them or bring take-outs, leave a voice mail with a warm message expressing your love.

Avoid the “Tough love” treatment

You might think that being tough on your loved one will undo their depression or inspire positive behavioral changes,

‘some people might intentionally be impatient with their loved one, push their boundaries, use the silent treatment, be callous or even give an ultimatum....

For example,

“You better snap out of it or I’m going stop trying”

“If you don't get out of bed, I'm not going to leave you alone”

But consider that this is as cruel, hurtful, and harmful as ignoring, pushing away, or not helping someone who has cancer or other terminal illness.

Do not Minimze their pain

Minimizing the unseen pain and shaming a person with depression, invalidates what they’re experiencing and completely glosses over the fact that they’re struggling with a difficult disorder

Statements such as

“You’re just too sensitive ”

“Why do you let every little thing bother you?”

Depression is not some weakness or personality flaw.

Avoid giving advice and comparisons.

Whenever someone we care about is having a tough time, we yearn to fix their heartache. And try to give them advice, but While it may be true that the depressed person needs guidance, saying that will make them feel insulted or even more inadequate and detach further.

“ what can I do to help you feel better”

Would be the right approach. Because

When a person asks for help they are more inclined to be guided and take direction without feeling insulted.

Remember to avoid comparisons...

Unless you’ve experienced a depressive episode yourself, saying that you know how a person with depression feels is not helpful,

You can avoid some of the most common mistakes, simply by educating yourself about depression, Once you understand depression’s symptoms, course, and consequences, then you can better support your loved one.

Depression is not a static illness.

There are an ebb and flow to symptoms that many non-depressed people misunderstand.

an adult who’s feeling hopeless may still laugh at a joke, and a child who’s in despair may still attend class, get good grades and even seem cheerful.

The truth is depressive symptoms are lingering elsewhere, hidden or not easy to see, so it’s important to know that depression has a far and often imperceptible range.

Be patient

When you’re patient with your loved one, you’re letting them know that it doesn’t matter how long this is going to take, or how involved the treatments are going to be, or the difficulties that accompany the passage from symptom onset to recovery, because you will be there every step and support them. when you have depression, hope can be hard to come by but

With such patience, comes hope.

Sometimes supporting someone with depression may feel like you’re walking a tight rope.

What do I say?

What do I not say?

What do I do?

What do I not do?

But remember that just being there and asking how you can help can be an incredible gift!

https://psychcentral.com/blog/9-best-ways-to-support-someone-with-depression#9