How To Do Just About Everything
By eHow Health Editor
Rate: (5 Ratings)
Clinical depression is more serious than being down in the dumps; it is a mental illness and a profound state of sadness that requires professional treatment. It can affect not only the person who has it but also his friends and family. Depression can strain relationships and affect everyday activity. Someone suffering from depression should be surrounded by positive support. It takes patience and time to help a depressed person, but the effort is worth it when you see him smile again.
eHow Health Editor
Comments
Fsarrington said
on 12/23/2007 My husband has major depression but he goes to work everyday. He is not taking his medication ,but he sees a counselor/psychiatrist at the VA hospital but she is not helping. In my opinion she is trying to convince my husband to leave me. He's telling her I am the problem and she is saying you need to leave her because she is not working. I need a support group so that I can save my marriage or at least get in touch with someone who can help. I have been very patient with this man and we've only been married for 1-1/2 years and I'm wife #5. He has let his depression cause him to divorce 4 other wives.
Please email me at fsarrington@yahoo.com
Retrolori said
on 7/18/2007 I thought the article was ok. One thing, dealing with someone who is severely depressed, you might want to check in on them often. Suicide goes hand in hand with clinical depression.
gentlyjesus said
on 2/14/2007 This article is nice but being more specific could better help the hopefully wide audience it will reach. There are different types of depression from Dysthymia to Bipolar to Post-partum to situational and probably more that have yet to be diagnosed. If you are trying to reach the person who is depressed and you are invested in a relationship, you will need more than these simple steps to help yourself through crisis or episodes. It can be tiring dealing with someone who constantly experiences depression because of a chemical deficiency in the brain. The first rule of helping someone else is HELP YOURSELF FIRST. Take breaks when you need them. Don't respond to reactive retorts when someone depressed claims something negative. Like: "My life is going to hell and I'll never get better!" Be yourself. A person who is depressed is not stupid. They know if your faking happiness. They know if you don't want to be around them but are forcing yourself to do it anyway. If your energy is low, expect to explain that to them and tell them you'll see them some other time.
Don't tell them you know what they are going through. This moment to them is immanent and telling them you know what is going on right now to them is not only rude but untrue. Most people who deal personally with depression know this. If you do not experience long term depression you cannot know how depression is and how it effects a person's life. You may see the symptoms but you can't appreciate their personal results. Short situational depressions like the ones a person experiences during times of major crisis or illness are not only different in length but also in the way that the person is physically effected by it than depressive episodes brought on by mental illness. In truth, if you find that a person with a mental illness is unstable it may be best not to be around them. The level of anxiety from someone not getting the right help and being ill can suck the energy right out of you. And the person you are trying to help will be left feeling angry or embarrassed by the results of your well intended assistance.
If you are there for the long haul make sure the doctor they are seeing is the right doctor. Not all depressions should be treated with antidepressants. Make sure that the therapist your friend or loved one is seeing is actually the one they want to see. Many people put up with professionals simply because they have MD or PhD attached to their names. Listen to the depressed person and let them decide where a problem lies. It might be them, the meds, the therapy (cognative or behavioral therapy is not helpful for certain types of mental illnesses,) the diagnosis, the time of year (SADs,) or even their living situations. Most of all do your research and continue doing it. The brain is one of the least known organs in the human body and new discoveries are happening all the time. The best advice I think that can be given is do not lose your humor, be it dark or light.
KarenC said
on 1/13/2007 A goog article. I have dealt with depression most of my adult life, along with the difficulties of Attention Deficit Disorder. The writer stresses an understanding, non-threatening approach which is wonderful. I know I tend to back away and shut myself out when I feel someone is critical and impatient.
Thanks for writing this!
Karen