Helping a Depressed Person

The most important thing, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, anyone can do for the depressed person is to help him or her get appropriate diagnosis and treatment. This may involve:

-encouraging the individual to stay with treatment until symptoms begin to abate (several weeks);

-seeking different treatment if no improvement occurs;

-making an appointment and accompanying the depressed person to the doctor;

-possibly monitoring whether the depressed person is taking medication.

The second most important thing is to offer emotional support. This involves:

-understanding,

-patience,

-affection,

-encouragement.

-Engage the depressed person in conversation and listen carefully.

-Do not ignore remarks about suicide. Always report them to the doctor.

-Invite the depressed person for walks, outings, to the movies, and other activities. Be gently insistent if your invitation is refused.

-Encourage participation in some activities that once gave pleasure, such as hobbies, sports, religious or cultural activities, but do not push the depressed person to undertake too much too soon. The depressed person needs diversion and company, but too many demands can increase feelings of failure.

Do not accuse the depressed person of faking illness or of laziness, or expect him or her "to snap out of it." Eventually, with treatment, most depressed people do get better. Keep that in mind, and keep reassuring the depressed person that with time and help, he or she will feel better.

More information:

1. What Does Depression Feel Like? An Excerpt from Visions of Sunsets
2. Symptoms
3. Sources of Help for Depression
4. Visions of Sunsets by Thea M. Kellogg
5. About the Author
6. What Others are Saying About This Book

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