If you know that a loved one is suffering from depression, you might have wondered how you could help them. Also if someone you live with, is experiencing depression it might have made things difficult for you as well. Coming to terms with your own feelings can be tough. You might be experiencing feelings of tiredness and sadness yourself as well. It can be terrifying. You may wonder if their depression is rubbing off on you as well. However, it’s something which is common. But there are ways to deal with it. Read on to see what you should do if a loved one suffers from depression.
- The first thing which you should do is to make sure you take care of yourself. At the same time make sure you educate yourself about mental health as much as possible. It is also okay if you feel that you might need a break. This much needed break would allow you to see things from a different perspective and allow you to recharge your batteries. Depression is not something which you can catch like a cold or a flu but it can surely take its toll if you become too stressed about it.
- Depression is demanding both for the person ho experiences it and for the person who is looking after them. It is okay to acknowledge feelings of anger and suppression. It’s a natural process and one which shouldn’t be used to berate yourself. If possible join a support group. It is quite helpful to meet people going through similar experiences.
- Make sure you do your research. You should have basic idea about things like informed consent and legal rights of people who are seeking treatment.
- Sometimes all you can offer to a loved one is your support. It count a great deal. Providing a listening ear or a shoulder to cry one can help your loved one a great deal more. They are not looking for lectures to buck up, rather they are looking for someone to vent out their feelings to.
- Also keep in mind that if the behavior of someone you love has changed has nothing to do with their feelings for you. It is because of their depression that they are behaving in a particular manner. It doesn’t reflect anything on you. It doesn’t mean they have stopped loving you. It’s just that they are not at a happy place and its manifesting itself in their behavior.
- Avoiding blame and judgment. Sometimes you may feel that your loved one is disinterested or is being just plain lazy, however this is not the case. You have to develop understanding and compassion. Since they are ill, every day activities might seem difficult for them. Instead of blaming them, it’s okay to ask for help if you are finding it difficult to cope.
Make sure you talk to a professional at mental health care in Gold coast to get all the information which you require. Get mental health help from Robina Private.
