It is important to exercise patience when comforting and helping someone who is battling with depression symptoms. In most cases, when words of encouragement fail to help and invitations get turned down repeatedly, most people either blame themselves for not doing enough or the person in depression. Here are ways you can help a loved one with depression.
Just Listen
Listen and provide emotional support to help make the person feel cared for. This is very crucial because people dealing with depression tend to withdraw and isolate. Therefore, be sure to listen with empathy and show compassion. Don’t tell the person to snap out of it or try to “fix” the depression symptoms.
Be Positive
Even if you don’t say a word of encouragement, your involvement with an individual with depression is a huge help. You need to keep an encouraging and positive attitude at all times. You should avoid pleading, scolding, or cajoling someone with depression as that will only serve to make things worse.
Do Research
Research and learn more about the condition so you can provide the right support. Find out more about the symptoms your loved one is showing because some people may not recognize depression as an illness. However, keep in mind that understanding the condition doesn’t necessarily mean that you comprehend what the person dealing with the symptoms is feeling.
Help Find a Therapist
It is almost impossible for the person dealing with depression to make the initiative of contacting a therapist and booking the first appointment to get help. Hence, you should do some research, ask for recommendations, and help your loved one book an appointment with a rehab center for depression and anxiety. In addition, if your loved one fails to have a connection with the therapist that you found, you should continue searching until you find the perfect therapist. You can find a reliable social worker, psychiatrist, or psychologist to help your loved one.
If your loved one is dealing with depression, contact Pathway Real Life Recovery for a solution-focused therapy. Our therapists use a personalized program that will meet your loved one’s specific needs. A pathway is all about helping people become whole again by restructuring their belief systems rather than holding themselves hostage. Remember to encourage your loved to be around people and stay active in addition to taking medication and attending the therapy.
Author statement:
Michelle Amerman is a licensed therapist and President of Pathways Real Life Recovery. Pathways is a mental health counseling and addiction recovery center in Utah. Her treatment approach is based on 30 years’ worth of groundwork, and has been assessed and validated by pioneers in the field of recovery research.
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