How to help a Family Member with Depression
Depression does not just affect a single person. An entire family can be ravaged by this vicious disease’s clutches. Helping a family member with depression can be a challenge because sufferers will often deny that they have a problem and say that they do not want help. There are a number of ways that you can help someone with this condition.
Be there for them
One of the simplest things you can do is to let them know that you are there for them. A solid support system is vital for someone with depression. Take steps to impart your love. People with depression often feel very alone – tell them that they are not.
You want to bring as much happiness to your depressed family member as possible. A lot of depressed people just want to sit home by themselves. Try to get them to come out with you. Take them a funny movie. Do things to lift their spirits, if possible. Encourage them to have a healthy lifestyle. For instance, exercising can help some suffering from depression. Of course whether this can be successful will depend on the level of depression that they are experiencing.
Help them get help
There are many ways that a depressed individual can get treatment to improve. Help your family member get this, if he or she will let you. They may want to get better but not know how to do so.
Therapy is an excellent strategy for depressed patients. Talk to him or her about this option. Look up mental health professionals and even go with them if they need that. You can also buy him or her books on depression (although this cannot replace therapy). Some people with depression do best with medication, thus you can talk to him or her about this option. Look up specifics.
It is a fine balance you must walk when dealing with a depressed family member. You want to get through to them but they may not want your help. Try not to be so overpowering that they shun you but see if you can get your point across. Do not give up on them.
If your family member gets so depressed that it becomes an emergency such as if they are suicidal, then you may need to take more drastic steps. It may seem like the worst thing in the world to send them to the hospital but it may save their life. If they are talking about suicide then they may need immediate help. Many who commit suicide talk about it first. You can stage an intervention with other family members. You can also get them to call a suicide help line or even call one yourself for advice.
Left untreated, depression can become very serious and even have tragic consequences. Try the best you can with the above strategies, however do not let yourself get overwhelmed. There is only so much you can do – the path to recovery is in the hands of the person who is depressed. Hopefully your strategies will help set your family member on the path to recovery.
Resources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00016
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200303/depression-family-matter