More and more people are being diagnosed with depression in recent years. Statistics tell us that over 25 veteran soldiers commit suicide for every soldier that unfortunately killed in battle. These things can be avoided altogether if we provide adequate emotional support and care to friends and loved ones dealing with depression.
In this article, we provide you with five tips on how to interact and communicate with a depressed individual the right way.
- Recovery from depression is a long and bumpy road
Majority of those suffering from depression experience the symptoms for six months tops and never relapse again. These individuals are extremely lucky in that those who cannot regain their normal life have to fight their own battles for a few years to decades even. Depressed individuals go through many phases, and may even relapse after many years of leading normal loves. For those who have friends or family members who go into a depressed state from time to time, prepare for a long journey ahead.
Never give up on people suffering from depression. The more isolated they feel, the less likely that they can recover from their condition. By providing them presence and listening ears, you are slowly helping them recover from their illness and back to being useful members of society.
- Identify the warning signs
Depression manifests itself through a number of signs and symptoms. There will be times when they will usually say something significant, and there are those times when all they feel like doing is to isolate themselves.
Other signs that they may be slipping in depression are:
- increased in drug usage
- switch to stronger drugs
- weight loss or weight gain
It’s best to note some of the changes in their behavior and lifestyle patterns. Major changes can mean their moods are ever changing leading to depression.
- Seek help and ask assistance from the community
Once you have detected signs of depression, it’s always best to reach out to other loved ones. Ideally, tell family members, spouse, children, or close friends, but make sure not to spread the news to more than 20 people. Backup support need not be big as many people who know of the condition may lead to miscommunication and conflicts.
Seek for a broader community that is known to support people suffering from depression like the Survivors of Suicide, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.
As a concerned loved one, make it your responsibility to remove objects that may be used for suicide. Do whatever measure you think will be for the welfare of a depressed loved on.
- Monitor the effect of drugs
Doctors often prescribe numerous medications as part of a depressed patient’s therapy. To ensure that the medications are effectively, make it a point to check up on the progress of the patients. Depressed patients most commonly are not aware of their own progress, or they may forget the slight differences they feel while taking medications. It’s best to monitor their feedback as well as the positive or negative effects of the medications. You can then relay this to their doctor, so they in turn can make the necessary changes with the medication therapy.
