Helping a Depressed Friend or Relative

If someone you love has depression, you may wonder if there is anything you can do to help. The simple answer is yes. Your support and encouragement can play a major role in a loved one’s recovery from depression.

Top Tips for you to know are as follow:

1.Learn about depression Educate yourself about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of depression.

2.Be understanding person.

3.Often, a depressed person will say hurtful things or lash out in anger. Remember that this is the depression talking, not your loved one, so don’t take it to heart.

4.Having patience is important. Even with the proper treatment, recovery from depression doesn’t happen overnight.

5.Making excuses, covering up the problem, or lying for a friend or family member who is depressed may keep the depressed person from seeking treatment.

6.Don’t try to rescue your loved one from depression. It’s not up to you to fix the problem, nor can you. Ultimately, depression recovery is in the hands of the depressed person.

The most important thing you can do to help a friend or relative with depression is to give your unconditional love and support.

Some supportive, positive things to say to a depressed friend or family member:

•“I love you no matter what you say or do.”
•“Don’t ever think you are alone in this or anything you go through.”
•“Please tell me what I can do to help you right now.”
•“I know I can’t understand what you are going though, but I am here for you if you want to talk.”

Article Source : HelpGuide.org