Depression is one of the severe mental health illnesses that affect millions of people worldwide. Prolonged feelings of sadness, getting irritated quickly, and not enjoying things they once used to are the most common symptoms of the same. Most individuals feel overwhelmed with their emotions and isolate themselves from others.
Helping a loved one struggling with depression can be a challenge – whether it is a parent, child, friend, or partner. It often makes people feel helpless, confused, or frustrated as they might not know what to say or do to comfort them. Moreover, if you have never been depressed yourself, you might not fully understand what they feel. You need to realize that your support and encouragement can play an essential role in their recovery.
Are you wondering how you can support your depressed friend or family member? Here are five tips for you.
Ways you can help your depressed ones:
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Learn about depression on your own.
It is challenging for someone who has never experienced depression up close to understand that it is just like other physical diseases. If you genuinely want to help your loved one, a deep understanding of what they are going through is necessary. Today, there are so many reliable sources on the internet that can help you learn more about mental health and depression in specific.
Learning about its symptoms, causes, and treatment can give you insight into how your loved one is feeling. This could help you recognize the following signs of mental illness and take action.
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in the sleep cycle
- The feeling of worthlessness, guilt, and anger
- Frequent suicidal thoughts
- Loss of interest in sex and hobbies
Reading up about the misconceptions and stigma surrounding depression is equally essential. Even getting out of bed for a clinically depressed person and taking a shower may be an achievement.
2. Use medical marijuana.
Marijuana refers to the leaves and female flowers of the cannabis plant. It has risen to popularity in recent years because of its therapeutic potential. It consists of numerous phytocannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) being one of the most prominent ones & interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system to regulate your emotional response.
CBD exhibits anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. When you are stressed, your body lowers the production of endocannabinoids. This can, in turn, lead to depression. Animal studies show that marijuana can restore normal levels and functioning. Apart from this, marijuana causes changes in the blood flow that might boost your loved one’s mood and improve their sleep quality.
You can check out budget buds for all your cannabis needs. Different marijuana strains produce other effects on your body. Here are a few strains that can help treat depression.
- Harlequin
- Grandaddy Purple
- Jack Herer
- Sour Tsunami
- Cannatonic
On account of the ambiguity surrounding marijuana, people often hesitate to incorporate it into their wellness routine. However, those who have realized its medicinal potential are reaping its benefits.
3. Listen to them without judgment or blame.
It is imperative to remember that a person might want someone to listen to their problems, but might not want any advice. Active listening is trying to understand what someone is saying without expectations or judgment. Here are a few tips for the same.
- Ask relevant questions rather than assuming things.
- Keep a positive body language to let them know you’re interested.
- Validating their feelings is crucial to make them feel worthy.
Being responsive to the needs of your loved ones instead of being reactive can aid their recovery. People often reply with phrases such as ‘It’s just a phase’ or ‘stay positive.’ Though your intention might be right, you might end up doing more harm than good.
4. Encourage them to take help.
Being in constant touch with your loved one is more important than you think. It is difficult for a depressed person to pick up the phone and book an appointment with a therapist in most cases. They might also hesitate to do so because of the stigma associated with mental health disorders. In such situations, you should encourage them to take the first step towards getting better. You must explain to them that there is nothing wrong with seeking professional help.
Guiding them in finding a suitably licensed therapist according to their preferences, and ensuring that they take their medicines on time are two ways of offering meaningful support. However, it can be a tricky situation. So, here are a few helpful tips regarding the same.
- Prepare for resistance
- Be sensitive to the timing and place
- Use non-stigmatizing language while talking to them about their mental health
5. Take care of yourself.
Many times, saying positive things or words of encouragement might not suffice. They might become withdrawn and angry because they keep cancelling plans, or even lash out at you. In cases like these, it would be best if you don’t take things personally. In most cases, individuals themselves fail to understand why they’re feeling what they’re feeling.
Hence, it is essential to remember that it is not your or their fault. Taking the blame on yourself or feeling like you’re not doing enough won’t help. It will make you feel exhausted and emotionally drained. This is often referred to as compassion fatigue. The fear of the future may even create a desire for escape, but you need to act responsibly.
If you are unable to take care of yourself, you won’t be able to help them. So here are some helpful tips to take care of yourself.
- Take some time off in case you feel trapped and need space
- Setting clear boundaries and saying no is okay if your mental health is at stake.
- Being mindful and practising acceptance can make difficult times bearable.
- If it’s necessary, don’t hesitate to find a therapist for yourself.
Final Thoughts
For people living with depression, unwelcome symptoms such as mood swings, restlessness, and racing thoughts may make every day feel like continual tests. The lack of mental health awareness doesn’t help either. In such times, it is only a dear one that can recognize the symptoms and help a person.
