7 Tips To Help Support Someone With Depression.

It’s not just the person with depression who’s affected by their illness. Their friends and family are also affected. Living with or dealing with a person with depression can cause additional stress.

It is important that you understand depression, what it is and the symptoms. Needless to say it is also important that you encourage your loved one to seek medical help. The earlier they get help the sooner treatment can start.

Therapy

I strongly recommend that you get therapy whether your loved one does or not. You will need to learn some skills that can help support you and the person you are involved with.

It can be an emotional roller-coaster at times. You may lose trust and confidence in yourself another reason why I recommend you enter therapy. This will begin your recovery process. Aid you in building healthier boundaries and your trust in yourself again.

For Partners

Partners may find that the relationship changes and becomes strained. If you find your marriage is now suffering, as a result, don’t put off having therapy and marriage counseling as a couple also.

It is important to voice your concerns and talk things through in an open manner. Therapists can help you do this individually and as a couple together. Perhaps consider joining a support group too.

Make sure you understand all your rights and entitlements too. Finances and other major decisions can fall to you at this time. Talk to someone if you find your family in financial distress as early as possible. In Ireland MABS, Citizens Advice or Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection can help.

Reduce Your Stress

As a partner you need to reduce your stress. Make sure you keep up any exercise, eat healthily and relax daily routines you have. Or speak to your doctor about putting some in place.

You may need time off away from your loved one you are caring for. Never feel guilty about this. You need this break to help you cope and reduce your stress levels. Having some time out with friends and just having time to your self is important.

It isn’t unusual for one partner to get better only to find the other partner has become ill as a result of all the stress. So think about stress reduction as a way to keep yourself healthy also.

Get Your Positive Support System In Place.

We all need four types of positive supports in our support system – emotional, tangible, informational, and social. There are many benefits to having a strong support system in place.

These can be provided by positive family, friends, colleagues and professionals. It is vital that you surround yourself with this kind of support. You too can become very isolating and lonely when supporting someone else.

Try To Stay Present For Your Loved One.

Knowing what to say or do can be hard at times. If we can just try to stay present with the person can be so valuable for anyone with depression. It’s important for our loved one to feel we are present for them. This helps them feel they are not alone or forgotten as depression can be very isolating.

Allow Them To Talk.

It can be tempting to offer suggestions when someone speaks. But it is far better to just allow the person to speak and express their emotions. Listen without judgment or interference, give them a hug or hold their hand. Remind them how much you love them and are there to support them. Also remind them of how much they have overcome in past already.

In this way you can gain some insight into what they are experiencing. By listening you will better understand them and aid them in a more proactive manner. As I said supporting someone can be difficult at times this is why you need support.

Support Them In Practical Ways.

As I said above we all need a positive support system. You are part of this person’s positive support system. We all want to rush in to help when someone needs it but only if you do so in a healthy manner. That’s why I suggest you get your own support and look after yourself too.

There are many practical ways we can help apart from just listening. Taking them for a walk, drive them to doctor’s appointments, make them a meal, clean a room, drive the kids to school or babysit, etc. Ask them how you can help, make some suggestions and do those things.

Work With Me.

Remember you are allowed to ask for support. No one is an island. If you need extra support then you can also work with me. We all struggle with stress and overwhelm from time to time. If you find this has become a problem for you and you’d like some support then schedule an appointment with me.