If you can help someone with depression, the person may find new hope of living a quality life again. While it’s overwhelming knowing that one you know has depression, your help can save his/her life. Though it’s not easy, your support will be worth it. Help your loved one with depression get proper treatment under the best psychiatrist in Siliguri or at your nearest location.
Depression is a mood disorder leading to hopelessness, restlessness, lack of interest in pleasurable activities, sadness, insomnia, self-harming thoughts, and more challenges in life. But, access to the right treatment and diagnosis helps the person come out of the situation and restore the vitality of life.
Going through this is a painful experience, not only for the person suffering but also for the people around them. Here's how you can help a friend battling depression with empathy, patience, and practical support.
Educate Yourself About Depression Symptoms
Before reaching out to your friend suffering from depression, take some time to understand what depression truly is and its symptoms. Mood disorders can affect every aspect of life. Therefore, early diagnosis and patient-centric care are important.
From energy, sleep, appetite, self-esteem, work performance, and physical health to relationships, depression can make things downright challenging to overcome without proper support.
Know that depression is complex, which often involves biological, emotional, and social factors. Here are some common symptoms of depression:
- Persistent sadness
- Persistent feelings of helplessness, emptiness, and worthlessness
- Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
- Changes in pattern and sleep pattern
- Physical aches, such as abdominal pain, muscle pain, or headaches
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Angry outbursts
- Anxiety
- Nervousness
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Fatigue/ lack of energy
- Feelings of guilt
- Self-harming thoughts and suicidal thoughts
Ensure a Safe Space Where You Can Talk
When your friendis ready to talk, take your friend to a safe place and avoid places such as bars, and restaurants with low light and dark environments, etc. Be there to listen—without judgment or rushing to offer medical solutions (be patient).
People with depression need a safe space and a person where and to who they can express their thoughts and feelings and feel secure sharing those. You can help your friend see the best psychiatrist in Siliguri city.
You can ask that you’venoticed your friend seems down lately so you want toknow if everything is fine or if your friend needs help, you’ll be there. Discuss howyour friend really feels and what he/she thinks is the source of these feelings or causes.
Avoid saying that- Just snap out of it, don’t think about this, these aren’t big problems, you can take medicines, things could be worse without treatment, mentally strong people can easily fight depression, etc. These comments can make them feel misunderstood, angry, embarrassed, sad, and further isolated.
Be Patient
Depression is a psychiatric condition that cannot disappearovernight. Recovery can be a slow process; therefore, patience is required while fighting depression. It’svital to ensure continual support to your friend.
Offer regular check-ins, such as some physical visits, textingand calling them, and let them knowyou’re thinking of them. You can ask about their meals on the lunch or breakfast menu, etc.
Encourage Professional Help
While emotional care from friends is valuable, professional help is invaluable. Managing clinical depression demands expert care. Encourage your friend to talk to a psychiatrist who provides talk therapy, medications, and comprehensive and holistic support for depression.
Make sure when you suggest seeing a doctor, be polite, and don’t push them too hard or they may feel overwhelmed, a sense of being forced and disrespected or hesitant.
Remember, when your support is very important, taking care of yourself during this process is also vital. Together, with time and the right medical and compassionate support, overcoming depression is possible. Come forward and see the top psychiatrist for depression in Siliguri.