How can family and friends help a depressed person?
Author: Dane Loveless
Website: http://www.DepressionLab.com
Added: Tue, Jul 18, 2006 17:57:00
Category: Depression Questions
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There are actually two important ways in which you can help a depressed person, but these must be done with kindness and consideration in order to avoid making things worse.
1) Help the depressed person find a suitable treatment for depression. This may include encouraging the person to continue with treatment until the signs of depression start to subside. You can also help the person by finding another treatment if there is no progress is being made.
2) Offer emotional support. This includes being considerate, calm, and loving. Involve the depressed person in a conversation and listen to him/her attentively. Do not downplay any of your impressions about suicidal tendencies. If possible, consult with the depressed person’s physician yourself. Be tenderly persistent if your request is rejected. Persuade him/her to join in some activities that will give pleasure.
Do not accuse the depressed person of being lazy or faking illness, and do not just wait for them to "snap out of it." In time, with healing, most depressed people do get well again. Remember, and keep comforting the depressed person with the knowledge that, with time and appropriate treatment, he or she will feel better.
keywords: Depression | Support System About the Author:
Dane Loveless answers frequently asked depression questions at PrettyGreatAnswers.com.
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