It is challenging to see a loved one depressed or having severe anxiety. But it’s more heartbreaking when a loved one admits to having depression/anxiety, and you have no idea how to provide help. Sure, you can get the professional help they need. However, getting out of depression and living a happy life requires more help, understanding, support, and love.
The first step toward helping your friend or family member is to understand if they are feeling sad or depressed. The former is feeling low for a certain amount of time. The latter is a serious mental illness requiring prompt action. Also, when a friend has severe anxiety, you should help them out immediately because anxiety can take the form of depression.
To ensure no one suffers from these mental issues alone, read the below tips. These will aid you in helping a loved one get better from these mental health issues.
Know the symptoms
The first step towards offering help to a loved one suffering is knowing the symptoms of depression. If you observe these symptoms for more than four weeks, take action.
• Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and emptiness.
• Lack of energy or tiredness, which makes even small tasks seem like moving mountains.
• Changes in appetite. Increased cravings or reduced appetite.
• Attempts of suicide or thinking about self-harming.
• Unexplained physical health issues like headaches or back pains.
• Loss of interest in things they loved, like reading or cooking. Even reduced sex drive can indicate depression.
Only an expert can diagnose depression or anxiety. However, knowing these symptoms will help you get them in the doctor’s chair and advance their health journey.
Ask them to get professional treatment.
Talk to them if you see any of these symptoms in your loved ones for a long time. If they admit to feeling depressed or anxious, encourage them to take treatment. It is necessary that you tell them that it’s okay to feel this way and is nothing to be ashamed about. Several times, individuals don’t come forward because of social stigma or because they feel like a burden to their families. Thus, you need to:
• Encourage them and even offer help, like taking them to their appointment.
• Looking at various counseling options, both physical and online. At https://onlinepsychologist.com.au/, individuals can get help for their mental health without worrying about going to a place physically. Sometimes depression is too high, making a person unwilling to go out. Online psychology is perfect for such scenarios.
• Prepare questions for them to ask their healthcare provider to rule out other diseases. Also, these questions can help them determine the best expert for their mental health.
Support them throughout their treatment
Just getting them inside a doctor’s chamber isn’t enough. You need to check on them to ensure they complete their treatment, go for regular therapy, and complete the assignments the doctor orders. Encourage them to go if they feel like not going to a session. Tell them how productive their sessions have been, and to continue seeing the improvement, they should go.
Drive them if necessary and wait for them. Or if they are taking online counseling, be respectful of their privacy but stay nearby to offer support.
Help them build a routine.
A routine for depression can help them get better along with treatment. If they are too down to have a routine, help build one. For instance, you both can join a gym or yoga session. If they have a workout buddy, it may help them show up and enjoy the same. Workout is necessary to improve your mental health. Also, ensure they eat on time and pick healthier options than unhealthy ones.
Take care of yourself too.
When your loved one is depressed, we feel like ignoring everything to help them out. However, taking care of yourself is critical because you cannot pour from an empty glass. So:
• Set boundaries.
• Practice self-care, like taking time to understand your emotions. Asking them for some time off for yourself.
Don’t judge your loved ones if they suffer from depression or anxiety. Support them! It’s time that everyone talks about these issues freely and supports each other needed to get better and thrive.
