How to treat a friend with depression

How can I help a depressed person? If your relative or friend is in treatment for depression , help him or her remember to take prescribed medications and to keep appointments. There are numerous forms of support available to you.

Check out our mental health resources page for more help. Ahmad Abojaradeh is the founder and executive director of Life in My Days. Although therapy and antidepressant medication are the most effective treatments for depression, home treatment is also important.

Offer to make the appointment for your friend and even go with him or her to the doctor to offer your support. Offer to help your friend make a list of questions to ask the doctor before the appointment. Supporting your loved one’s treatment Have realistic expectations.

It can be frustrating to watch a depressed friend or family member. Invite your loved one to join you in. Sometimes, all they need to hear is a few encouraging words.

Tell them you are there for them no matter what. Emphasize you won’t leave them, because many people dealing with depression are afraid of people leaving.

If your friend feels like talking, ask them how they’re going. When you want to bring up a sensitive issue with a friend , try to choose a time and place when you’re both comfortable and relaxed. You won't be able to support someone else if you are feeling overwhelmed.

What do you find helpful? Acknowledge Your Feelings. It’s just hard to help someone if you don’t understand what she is going through. Depression can be demanding both for the person experiencing it. Ask Questions and Dig for the Root Cause.

Help Them Identify and Cope With Sources of Stress. Remind Them That They're. Encourage Them to Seek Out a Support Group. My depression is well-manage and I still have very bad days.

But even on my good days, I spend a lot of time and energy managing my moo my sleep, my diet, my activity level, and my relationships so that I can continue to function. It takes effort, patience, and compassion to love someone with depression. Online Therapy with a Licensed Counselor. Available Anytime, Anywhere You Need It.

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Appointment, Start Therapy Today! Get the Support You Need! So gently encourage your friend with depression to get out more. Suggest that you do things together.

For depression of moderate severity, good treatment options are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), or antidepressant medication. Generic counseling is likely to be less useful than a treatment that is supported by research. In fact, the more we learn about depression, the more we discover there’s a large physical component to it.

But, don’t become a psychologist. Helping people with depression get treatment is so important, but families and friends often are unsure how to convince their loved ones to see a medical professional. Treat the person with respect and dignity. It can interfere with your productivity, or even just the way you seem to your superiors at work – which has consequences for your performance reviews and ultimately the stability of your employment.

Share what you’ve observed and let the person know why you’re concerned. Practice compassionate listening by being patient and encouraging, e.