![]() Eating often falls by the wayside as well. Simple tasks like brushing their teeth, combing their hair, or getting dressed become painstaking. Many people have a hard time taking care of themselves. In my experience, getting a little sunshine and fresh air really does help elevate my mood. If they don’t want to go outside, open the curtains or blinds and let some natural light in. Being in the sun is a natural way to get that much-needed supplement.Īsk them to go for a walk around the garden, if you have one, or sit outside or by the window to have a cup of coffee or tea. It’s common for people with depression to be deficient in vitamin D. Encourage your loved one to go outside for a few minutes each day. Understand that what they’re going through is real and feels all-encompassing, and be there for them when they need you.ĭepression can make you want to sleep all day, minimizing the time you spend in the sun. They need your empathy.Īcknowledge what they’re experiencing by listening and asking how you can help. Remember, they don’t have control over what they’re feeling. Some people may start to feel invisible if their friends and family don’t recognize just how serious their depression is. You cannot equate one person’s pain with another’s. Minimizing someone’s experience by saying there are people in the world who have it harder can be harmful. Therefore, they should not feel like they are to blame for their depression. No one blames a person with arthritis for having arthritis. Sometimes depression may flare up in the same way a chronic condition like arthritis does. It’s not their fault they have depression. To alleviate that guilt, remind them that it is OK to feel unwell. They might feel they are not being a good enough partner, parent or friend. Your loved one may feel guilty about not being able to function at their “normal” level and experience feelings of inadequacy. Having depression and going through a particularly bad episode leads to feelings of guilt. Relieving them of those duties allows them to focus on taking care of themselves and working with their tools to get better. That could be making meals or doing a load of laundry, for example. Do what you can to take up the slack if necessary. If space is needed, give it to them without question.Īlso, when in the middle of an episode, your loved one may need help with everyday tasks. Speak with your loved one and find out what helps get them through the tough moments. They are a great distraction from what’s going on in my head. Personally, I like to immerse myself in movies. Creative types may write, paint, or draw during hard times. Find out what support means to themĮach person living with depression has their own way of coping. ![]() ![]() That way, you can lay out a blueprint for how to move through a depressive episode together. On one of their good days, have a conversation with your loved one about how to support them when they need it. So if someone you care about lives with depression, you may not know how to be there for them. There isn’t enough time or energy for constructive communication. Most of our time is spent inside our heads trying to work through the negative self-talk, anxiety, and overwhelming sadness. In this article, she talks about how you can help your loved one through a depressive episode.ĭuring a depressive episode, it’s often almost impossible for some people to articulate their needs and wants.
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