What to Do When Someone You Love Suffers
From Depression
In the next few paragraphs, we will explore new ideas and
thoughts that may help you decide what is best for you.
When you love someone who suffers from depression or bipolar
disorder you may find yourself frustrated, irritated or losing
your ability to tolerate their behavior towards yourself,
your children or other friends and family. Sadly, while great
improvements have been made to nurse these disorders, the
family and friends coping with sufferers over and over again
feel hopeless or discouraged by their endeavor to help.
If you are living with, or close to someone who is diagnosed
or appears to be distressing from depression or bipolar you
will find below tips beneficial for helping both the individual
and yourself from the awful effects of depression.
IDENTIFY SYMPTOMS
If the person you love has not been diagnosed with depression
it is important for you to analyze their behavior and take
action upon it. If the person displays symptoms of depression
they may not aware it on their own. Depression normally causes
a person to feel like a failure and they may blame themselves
for lacking of interest, energy or ability to show affection
as a personal weakness rather than a medical problem.
Individuals who have bipolar disorder frequently imagine
bouts of manic symptoms can simply mean they have high energy
rather than a problem that needs attention. By means of a
questionnaire online or from a pamphlet can be a guidance
to you or your loved one to identify symptoms of depression
or bipolar disorder.
Keep reading further to learn how this topic can benefit
you, as the rest of this article will supply you with the
needed information.
SEEK TREATMENT
If you feel that your loved one is showing symptoms of depression,
including an inability to show interest in activities that
they usually enjoyed, sleeping more or less than usual, unexplained
crying, withdrawing from interactions and talk of suicide,
it is crucial that they seek medical intervention right away.
If the individual refuses to seek treatment you may need
to enlist the help of others to speak to them, counting anyone
they might respond to - friends, teachers, counselors. You
can even ask your own doctor for help if no one else can convince
them. If they talk about suicide call 911 or a suicide emergency
help line immediately.
BE SUPPORTIVE
Probably the most important action you can take, apart from
getting the person medical treatment is to remain nonjudgmental
and consistently supportive.
The symptoms of depression can be different in intensity
but their affect on a relationship is always negative. A depressed
person feels unworthy and weak. This self-depreciation worsens
the depression. Losing the ability to work, communicate or
enjoy life will erode relationships, lead to financial problems
and affect intimacy.
It is important to remember this is not the true nature or
feelings of the person suffering from depression. A depressed
person may initiate arguments or tell you they don't love
you. Do not believe them or take what they said to heart.
Indulging their grievances will only lead to further depression.
If the person is being treated for their depression remind
them that treatment will eventually work and stay positive.
Remind them that this is a medical problem and that they are
not to blame. Don't push them to do more than they are capable
of and never suggest that they just "pull themselves
together" because that will lead to more feelings of
worthlessness. On a regular basis inviting the person to go
for a walk, enjoy a movie or other outing, or simply listen
to them talk can help when the person feels able to do these
activities.
KEEP PERSPECTIVE
If you have been through several bouts of depression with
the one you love, remember the episode will sooner or later
end. If you are having trouble keeping perspective you might
search for a support group for friends and family of those
suffering from depression to help you feel connected to others
dealing with similar situations.
Find a confidant who will listen without judgment. Especially
when dealing with a depressed spouse you may feel unloved
or hopeless. Having a friend or therapist who you can share
your feelings with will help you remember that it is not the
person or yourself causing this turmoil, it is a medical problem
that must be viewed as temporary and treatable.
If we have failed to answer all of your questions, be sure
to check into other resources on this educational topic.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: Eric Choong
Please visit my website at: http://www.health-beauty-care.com
(You are granted the right to reprint this article but the
title
and content must remain unchanged and the authors name
and contact information must be included.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
