how to tackle a depressed patient?

Answer 1

I don't understand the question - why would you need to "tackle" a depressed person? She/he needs to be supported instead.

Today depression is the most common medical disorder in primary care settings, with a 5% to 10% prevalence rate.

Depression need not be a life long illness. People are getting out of it and resuming normal lives.

A proper treatment plan should allow the patient to become an active partner in his/her care; the plan should ensure that the frequency taking medications and visiting the doctor are maintained and proper monitoring of outcomes and reporting to the health care providers is routinely done.

If you are caring for the patient at home you can do a lot for his/her recovery. For example:

Adjust your communication style to the patient’s changing needs. Be sensitive and gentle about informing the patient of the diagnosis. Don’t argue or try to change the person’s mind.

Be affectionate with the patient - if this feels natural. Be supportive of positive behavior. Be accepting of the increasingly limited capabilities (of the patient). Don’t take problem behaviors personally.

Schedule visitors to avoid surprises and have something to look forward to. Even if the patient does not recognize those who visit, the contact is nonetheless valuable for them.

Establish routines in activities of daily living. Help the person to look forward to the milestones of the day - such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation and eating, going outdoors, having visitors, getting ready for bed etc.

Maintain social contacts and fun. Focus on enjoyment, not achievement.

Set up a safe home environment. Depressed people are prone to getting into accidents.

And finally, considering placement in a facility if caregiving becomes unmanageable at home.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 2

Basically you should have some psychiatrist knowledge. After that you can able to better understand the route cause for the depression of that patient and that facilitate you to tackle him. Other wise it is bit difficult but as normal person also you can try, I hope you will succeed.

Answer 3

Keep him occupied in various activities of short duration eg reading for 30 min then discussing for next 10 min, some card game or board game like snakes n ladder , going for long walks at a slow pace opens up the mind , asking and involving him in all decisions like what to eat/cook for breakfast tomorrow etc and follow this routine everyday.

Answer 4

People are mainly depressed because of being cheated or because of a major problem.
You can make them realise that the world is not going to stop because of their depression and nor should they. Do things that they like to do daily.
This will help them recovering from their depression.

Answer 5

i am not a psychatrist but with my personnal experience i can say that sometime just listening to them and sympathise with them really helps. if it is severe then there are medicine. but in opinion councelling is always better than medication.
many persons here are advising for keeping busy, social active , games. but all these are temporary. you can't be with someone 24/7. when ever they will be alone the thoughts again come into there mind.

Answer 6

Leave him free in a limited surroundings that make him feel as unlimited surrounding for him to act. Let his feelings be activated till his nerves are in normal temperature. When nerve system produce something and that is bound in himself, it makes him depressed, like when we wanted to say something (or do) and we are forcibly stopped, the result in our mind is the depression.

Answer 7

According to me the patient should be given utmost love and affection..
which can make their mind in a normal status..

Answer 8

Never treat him as a patient

Answer 9

Show sympathy in ways that would register; listen a lot, with sympathy and display of interest. Give a lot of hope. Gradually introduce reality/realism, if you must in your projections, when you talk. Give company, offer friendship. Assess tastes and do things to match the tastes.

Answer 10

Stay low and hit direct at the torso