Depression is a very common mental health condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status. Unfortunately, this condition often goes untreated in many people, leaving them dealing with overwhelming feelings of sadness each day. If someone in your life is living with depression, encourage them to reach out for professional help.
When you see a loved one overwhelmed by depression, it can feel somewhat helpless. Learning how to help someone with depression can empower the person you care about to get the help they need to experience brighter days ahead. For guidance on helping a loved one enroll in 5 Palms’ depression treatment program in Florida, call 1.844.675.1022.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in activities. While everyone feels sad from time to time, the primary difference between the occasional sadness and depression is that a depressive disorder lasts two weeks or more and tends to interfere with daily functioning.
There are several different types of depressive disorders, including major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, high-functioning depression, and bipolar disorder.
Signs a Loved One Is Living with Depression
Many people living with depression show little to no visible signs on the outside. Instead, they suffer in silence and just try to make it through each day. However, once you learn how to recognize if someone has depression, you can encourage them to get the help they need.
Here are some signs to look for:
- Persistent sadness – Their mood may seem low often, and they may even express feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.
- Loss of interest in activities – They may no longer engage in hobbies or social outings they once enjoyed.
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns – They may eat much less than usual or have a ravenous appetite. As a result, you might also notice drastic weight loss or gain. Additionally, they may have trouble sleeping or sleep excessively.
- Fatigue – Your loved one may complain of being tired all the time.
- Irritability – Although sadness is one of the most common emotional signs of depression, the disorder can also make people irritable or short-tempered.
If you recognize the above signs in a person you care about, they might be struggling with depression and need the help of a depression treatment program.
How to Help Someone with Depression
It is hard to witness someone you love feeling sad or hopeless. You might want to convince them there is no reason to feel sad or that they have so many wonderful things in their lives, but this approach is often ineffective for people living with depression. Instead, try some of the following ways to help someone with depression:
Encourage Open Communication
Ask your loved one how they are feeling, and give them plenty of space to talk without judgment. Sometimes, just being there to listen can make all the difference.
Offer Support
Let the person know you are there for them whenever they want to talk. Although they may not feel comfortable talking about their symptoms at the time, you can make small gestures like checking in with them regularly and sharing information about depression management.
Encourage Professional Help
Let your loved one know they do not have to handle their symptoms on their own, and there are programs available specifically to manage depressive disorders. You can even offer to help them find a local treatment center and schedule an appointment for an intake assessment.
Promote Self-Care
When someone is struggling with depression, they may lose motivation to practice good self-care. Encourage them to get outside, engage in exercise, eat healthily, and get plenty of sleep. Perhaps you can offer to go for walks with them or prepare healthy meals together.
Contact 5 Palms Today for Depression Treatment
When depression is left untreated, the condition may only worsen with time. But with depression treatment at 5 Palms, there is no need to continue to struggle with feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Our experienced team will design a customized treatment plan for you consisting of the appropriate therapies and medications. To learn more about overcoming depression at our Florida center, contact us online or give us a call at 1.844.675.1022.
