Helping friends, family or lovers who suffer from clinical depression is not enough to just provide a shoulder for just crying. Although the sufferer needs medical care, as many people as there are many things that can be done to make him feel better.
How to help people with depression, according to doctors, can be done with the following:
1. Be aware that treatment is the key
Depression Is a medical condition that requires medical treatment. As family members or friends, we can listen to the person and provide support, but maybe that's not enough. We may lose patience or feel frustrated because the best effort is not able to "cure" them from depression.
Depressed people cannot allow it, they cannot avoid it. You can provide care and support, but that won't solve the problem.
2. Active in giving care
The best thing that can be done for someone with depression is to support treatment. Tell him that depression is a medical problem and ignoring it will not just disappear.
3. Talk about the problem
Let them know that we and others care about them and are willing to always give support. Offer them that we encourage them to get treatment or if they want to talk about their feelings, listen.
4. Keep maintaining relationships
Call or visit someone and invite him to join in daily activities. People who are depressed can become isolated because they feel they don't want to 'disturb' others. We may need to try extra hard to support and make someone who is depressed want to participate.
5. Focus on small goals
A depressed person may ask, "Why bother? Why do I have to get out of bed today?" You can help answer these questions and provide positive reinforcement. Give a small compliment to their activities every day, even for something as simple as waking up.
6. Pay attention
If someone you love has experienced depression before, pay attention if he experiences several phases of life that are at risk of triggering depression. If he becomes big emotionally due to separation, divorce, job loss, death of a family member or other serious stress, be prepared to take steps to help immediately.
7. Invite a doctor
Encourage visiting a doctor or psychologist, taking medications prescribed and participating in cognitive behavioral therapy to treat depression.