how can u help a person with depression?

Answer 1

1. Educate yourself. There are countless sites on the Internet where you can learn about depression, it's symptoms, and treatment. My Depression FAQ is an excellent starting place. Learn about informed consent and the legal aspects of treatment in your state. Read up on disability law as it applies to the mentally ill.

2. Put yourself in their shoes. Learn what depression feels like, the misconceptions about mental illness that they must deal with, and get the facts about what depression really is.

3. Take care of yourself. Feelings of depression are contagious. Periodically take some time to step back from the situation and recharge your batteries.

4. It's okay to feel upset, angry, frustrated. These feelings are a valid response to a very trying situation. Join a support group, talk with a close friend, or see a therapist. The important thing is vent your frustrations rather than allowing them to build up inside.

5. Be there for them. Give them a shoulder to cry on or just listen while they spill out their hearts to you. Be patient with them. Let them know that you care. Share the things you've learned while researching depression. Let them know it's not their fault, that they're not weak or worthless.

6. Remember that the depressed person's behavior isn't indicative of the "real" person. The depressed person has impaired social skills. They may be withdrawn and shy or sullen and angry. When the depressed person lashes out in anger, it's because they're actually angry with themselves and the way they feel. You just happen to be there. When your spouse or significant other doesn't feel like having sex, don't take it personally. Loss of sex drive is a classic symptom of depression. It doesn't mean they don't love you.

7. Depressed people aren't lazy. They're ill. Everyday activities like cleaning house, paying bills, or feeding the dog may seem overwhelming to them. You may have to take up the slack for them for awhile. Just like if they had the flu, they simply don't feel up to it.

8. Medications and therapy are crucial to their recovery. Help keep them on track with treatment. Help to ease their fears about treatment by letting them know that they're not crazy.

9. Offer hope in whatever form they will accept it. This could be their faith in God, their love of their children, or anything else that makes them want to go on living. Find what works best for them and remind them of it whenever they're not sure they can hang on any longer. If they're suicidal, you may need to seek immediate help. There are some very valuable suicide resources on the Internet that will help you to help your loved cope with suicidal feelings as well.

10. Love them unconditionally and let me know it's their illness you're frustrated with, not them.

Answer 2

They need help from a doctor and will more than likely need medicaiton and some counseling too. But you personally can give them love and support. Be there for them to talk to when they start feeling down or low. When they get into a downward spiral, try to do something uplifting with them to keep their mood up. There are things that people can do to try to stay in good spirits when they are low...when I start on a downward spiral, I my doctor adjusts the meds of course, and then she recommends that I try some more exercise, or some yoga to try to relax more, etc. What the person really needs is a real support system, and they need to know that regardless of what happens and no matter what they might say or do, that you will be therre to help them when they need you the most. Good luck.

Answer 3

Aside of the purely physically problem with depression, depressed people don't have strong support. A valuable gift to give a depressed person is to be a good friend. Also you might try rephrasing there gripes and complaints into positive active statements. I.E. If they say "I don't want to go clean the garage" the tell them to go out with a friend for a cup of coffee with a friend... Be understanding but don't overdue it to affirm that things are hopeless.

Answer 4

Make sure that they are seeing a psychiatrist and taking any prescribed medications. Just be there for them, let them know that you love them. Ask if they need any help with anything, offer only the help that they may want, don't push. Perhaps you could suggest an outing, maybe as something that you would like, that way they may feel that they are helping you, that alone can help them. If they are caring, perhaps they may need to also feel needed and wanted, you could show them this in some way. It all depends on their situation, everyones situation is different.

Answer 5

talk them into going to a doctor and asking for help and some medication. that way they will start to feel better in 6 weeks and my with luck be sorta back to normal in 3-4 years.

Answer 6

Encourage him/her to see a psychiatrist or psychologist. They will be able to properly help them. If you try to help your depressed friend, you might make things worse.

Answer 7

bring the person to a relax place where he or she can relax her mine

Answer 8

To love you and tell you that I care.
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