To help someone with depression you must first be sure of their state of mind, you should not think that anyone is, just because they are sad, indifferent or lonely, this may just be a transition period that they are going through, due to some circumstance who is living.
So before offering your help to someone, it is essential that you have certainty of a diagnosis provided by a professional therapist or, failing that you evaluate at least if they present the symptoms that we will tell you below:
First, we want you to know that the symptoms are not always visible, sometimes who you least imagine is in a depressed state instead of that person who you think may be wrong.
It is common for a person with depression to show:
- Frustration
- Hopelessness
- Self-sabotage
- Drastic mood swings
- Social distancing
- Attempted suicide
What can you do to help him get out of the situation?
Remember that their recovery does not depend on you, but on their own decision or reasoning capacity and resilience in adverse situations, but what is certain is that your support can make their process more bearable, especially if it is someone close to them. that you care a lot, your help will be a precious commodity in those moments.
1.Listen to it. Forget about sermons or trying to give solutions, being a company to listen to how you feel and that you can vent is crucial in this process, avoid feeling judged.
2. Avoid asking him to calm down or cheer up, which for you may be obvious and normal, for a person with depression it represents something different, so do not think that he should feel good just because you can tolerate those kinds of situations.
3. Do not take anything personal, what happens to him/her iis the product of his/her experiences and ways of seeing life, even factors that go far beyond his will at times. Avoid feeling guilty, sorry, or overprotective.
4. Be patient, we know that it can be difficult, especially if you do not understand that what is common for you is something complex for that person, but give them your company whenever you can, being present can help them feel that they have people to count on.
5. Avoid making him/her feel abnormal or different from how everyone else acts. Imposing social patterns can only aggravate the damage, this person already feels strange, do not make him feel worse, just because of his way of facing things, you already know that with help he can improve at his own pace if he wants to.
There is a resource that we all have at hand to help, is to put ourselves in that person’s shoes, offer understanding and affection.
If you do not understand the situation in depth, do your part and leave the rest in professional hands.
If you have a family member or friend who you think is in this state, ask him if he would like help since you cannot offer him an exact solution, with his disposition you can contact us.
If you feel that you are the one going through a depressive period, you are also welcome, you can contact one of our counselors and begin your journey of healing and self-discovery.
Anabel Briceño
Brand Advisor and Copywriter for M.O.T.M.V.
