Today’s collaborative post is right on time. I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve seen more and more friends affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Being from a city like Houston where it’s sunny most of the year, this winter has hit us hard and a lot of people I know are feeling it. These are just a few tips to help those in your life affected by different forms of depression and I hope they help y’all the way they helped me!
There are many people who go through depression; some of them suffer silently. However, if a friend confides in you and tells you they’re feeling depressed, it can be difficult to know how to help. If you’ve never encountered depression before, you may be left wondering what to say or do. Here are a few tips on helping a friend with depression.
Find Out More
If you don’t know much about depression and the way it can affect people, learning more is the first step. Becoming informed about depression is the first thing you need to do if you want to help someone close to you. You won’t be able to understand how depression affects a person until you learn what it is. You’ll be able to empathize with what your friend is going through the more you know about depression.
Listen
The mistake people most often make is to try and fix the problem. Where depression is concerned, the problem can’t always be fixed. However, you can be there to listen to your friend talk. Listening is the best way to help a friend going through depression. If you feel like you need to help in other ways, ask your friend what would help them. Try to avoid talking about sensitive issues until you’re sure your friend can handle the subject.
Get Help
There are some people who feel ashamed of being depressed and therefore won’t seek help when they need it. If your friend has confided in you, it could be an opportunity to get professional help if required. Medical practitioners can help with a range of things, from prescribing antidepressants to alcohol treatment and therapy sessions. Just the admittance of needing help is a step in the right direction.
Get Serious
Someone who is suffering with depression isn’t going to be a fan of tough love. Laughing and joking about the matter or telling someone to ‘suck it up’, isn’t going to work. If someone has confessed that they’re struggling with depression issues, it’s time to take things seriously. Acknowledging their feelings and recognizing the struggles they’re going through is one step closer to getting the person to trust you with any issues that crop up in the future.
Be There For Emergencies
People suffering with depression may only choose one or two people to confide in. If your friend seems to be in a particularly difficult situation and you feel that they might be a danger to themselves, it’s important to get the help you need. You may not be able to diffuse the situation by yourself, so calling the emergency services could be necessary.
Remember Yourself
It’s not easy to look after someone with depression. It can take its toll on you, so it’s important to put yourself first. Make sure your own mood isn’t affected by your friendship and keep your own well being at the forefront of your mind. Being a friend is great, but when you start to become a carer, something has to change.
This post was a collaborative effort – please check out my disclosure policy page for more details.