Anyone can suffer from depression. But many people still don’t understand this illness. According to the most recent National Institute of Mental Health estimates, slightly more than 7% of all U.S. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 300 million children and adults suffer from depression. According to the blog of the Cheap Assignment Writing Services based writer, people are talking about mental illness a lot more now than they used to.
However, mental health continues to carry a stigma. Many people are discouraged from talking openly about depression because of this stigma. It can be challenging to know how to support a friend who suffers from depression. However, your encouragement and support can help your loved one recover. Here are ten things from the Humanities Assignment Help that you can do to help your loved one who is depressed.
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Become Knowledgeable
The first step in assisting someone suffering from depression is to educate yourself on the condition. It’s also very challenging to understand someone who is depressed if you’ve never experienced depression yourself. There are numerous excellent resources available online. Therefore, do some research so that you are better prepared to assist and support your friend?
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Consider It Serious
A person cannot suddenly recover from depression. For instance, one enjoyable night out won’t be enough to solve the issue. When speaking with someone who is depressed, avoid making light of the situation. Depression is a dangerous condition. Telling someone who is depressed to stay positive or to gather themselves and move on won’t be helpful to them.
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Improve Your Listening Skills
People who are depressed frequently feel very isolated. They might believe they are the only ones with whom they can discuss their problems. Anyone will sympathize with you if you admit to having a bad cold. However, depressed person finds it difficult to express their feelings.
Allow your friend to speak for themselves. Encourage them to discuss their illness, but avoid offering any immediate solutions. Your assistance is the most valuable asset you can provide.
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Motivate Them to Seek Assistance
If a person is extremely depressed, they should seek professional help. Tell them that it is wise to speak and ask for help (helpwithdissertation, 2022). Support organizations and therapists are available to help. An individual with severe depression might also require medication to improve their condition. Tell your friend to consult their physician. Make an effort to convince your friend that depression is a condition that is curable. Your friend does not have to face this challenge alone.
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Provide Practical Assistance
People who are depressed may neglect routine tasks. You may discover that they do not have enough food or are not keeping up with household chores. A depressed person may also have difficulty opening mail and paying bills. Although you can’t make a friend feel better, you can give them useful support. If you’re going shopping, see if your friend needs anything. Provide them with a meal if you are aware that they aren’t eating. According to Business Insider, going for a walk in the woods or practicing yoga in the sun can have surprising health benefits (Loria, 2018). Encourage them to go outside. A depressed person may find great comfort in little things like this.
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Keep them informed
Depressed people will probably cut themselves off from their social networks. They might not even want to interact with others. However, keep them informed. Don’t push them too hard to attend social gatherings, but do extend invitations. The assurance that you are thinking of them will come from inviting them to events. It will serve as a reminder that they still have their friends’ support when they’re prepared to get involved again.
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Avoid attempting to be an expert
People who are depressed often have the overwhelming impression that nobody gets them. Do not attempt to advise your friend on how to treat their illness. Some depressed individuals can benefit from activities like exercise and a healthy diet. Even medication works differently for different people. Leave the illness treatment to the professionals. Being there for your depressed friend is the most important thing you can do for them.
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Don’t Underestimate the Condition
Take what your friend says seriously if they tell you how they feel. Depression is distinct from having a bad day or feeling depressed. It is a crippling condition that can have an impact on all aspects of a person’s life. Saying things like “I understand how you feel” or “we’ve all been there” isn’t helpful. Your friend will believe you are not serious about their condition if you do this. You have no idea what depression feels like if you’ve never gone through it. Therefore, it is much preferable, to be honest about your lack of empathy for your friend than to pretend.
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Be Ready to Act in Case of Emergency
If you have even the slightest worry that your friend might hurt themselves, you must take action. If you believe your friend is about to commit suicide, contact emergency services. It can be difficult to make a decision if your friend insists on refusing help. In the short term, they may even despise you for interfering. But eventually, when they’re feeling better, they’ll appreciate your quick action.
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Be Consistent
Dealing with a depressed friend can be extremely frustrating. You might have moments when you’d prefer to leave and move on with your life. But don’t get too frustrated. When a friend needs your assistance the most, don’t abandon them. Anyone can be affected by depression. You could be the next person to seek help for depression.
Conclusion
Dealing with depression is difficult. For the person who is ill as well as their family and friends. Being there for a friend who is depressed is the most crucial thing you can do. Encourage your loved ones to seek assistance and offer your own assistance when necessary. Isn’t that why we have friends?
Reference list
HWD., (2022). Time Management Tips. Online Available at <https://www.helpwithdissertation.co.uk/blog/time-management-tips/> [Accessed on 30th March 2022]
Loria, K. (2018, April 22). Being outside can improve memory, fight depression, and lower blood pressure – here are 12 science-backed reasons to spend more time outdoors. Business Insider. Retrieved August 12, 2022, from https://www.businessinsider.com/why-spending-more-time-outside-is-healthy-2017-7