Be Supportive : Here’s How You Can Help Someone Battling Anxiety And Depression

Everybody can experience depression. However, it is still a disease that a lot of people don’t comprehend. More people than ever before discuss mental illness. Still, there remains a stigma associated with mental health. A stigma that keeps many people from discussing depression in public. It might be challenging to know what to do to support a loved one who is depressed.

In this article we will discuss about eight powerful and effective ways through which you can help a loved one to battle depression and anxiety without overwhelming them,

1. Educate Yourself First

Learning about depression is the first step in offering support to someone who is suffering from it. It can be quite challenging to understand someone who is depressed if you have never experienced depression yourself. You can consult a variety of excellent web resources. Therefore, do your share of research and know the roots of depression so that you are more prepared to assist and encourage your friend in their battle against it.

2. Stop Joking Around

Depression is a challenging condition to recover from. For instance, a fun night out won’t be sufficient to address the issue. Never attempt to minimise depression when speaking with someone who has it. A major mental health condition like depression requires utmost attention. Telling someone who is depressed to cheer up or to gather themselves and go on won’t be able to help them.

3. Do Not Attempt To Provide a Quick Fix

People who are depressed frequently experience extreme loneliness. They could believe that no one is available to them to discuss their difficulties. If you tell people that you’re suffering from a bad cold, they will feel sorry for you. To convey one’s emotions, nevertheless, could be difficult for somebody who is depressed. Just listen to your friend speak; don’t interrupt. Just listen to your friend speak; don’t interrupt. Encourage them to talk about their illness, but refrain from attempting to offer any quick remedies and don’t jump to conclusions. Your encouragement is the most essential thing you can provide.

4. Encourage Them To Seek Professional Help

It’s critical for someone who is severely depressed to receive professional assistance. Counsellors and support groups are available, and they can be helpful. Any one with serious depression could also require medicine to treat their ailment. Encourage your friend to consult a physician. Make an effort to convince your friend that depression is a sickness that can be cured. Assure them that being your loved one they don’t have to go through this difficulty alone.

5. Don’t Let Them Isolate Themselves

A depressed individual is more likely to isolate themselves from their social circles like family and friends. They could have no desire to interact with others. Nevertheless, keep them informed. Invite them to social gatherings, but don’t press them to go. So that your friend knows you are mindful of them, invite them to events. When they’re ready to get engaged again, it will help in making sure that they still enjoy their friends’ support.

6. Choose Empathy Over Sympathy

If a buddy confides in you about their feelings, pay attention to what they are saying. Depression is distinct from having a bad day or feeling depressed. It is a crippling ailment that can have an impact on all facets of a person’s life. It is not useful to say statements like “I understand how you feel” or “we have all been there.” Your friend will feel that you don’t take their disease seriously if you do that. You have no idea what depression feels like if you have never gone through it. Therefore, it is far preferable to be honest and say that you cannot relate to what your partner is going through than to pretend.

7. Be Patient With Them & Never Give Up on Them

Having to deal with a buddy who is depressed can be quite frustrating. You could have moments when you’d prefer to leave and move on with your life. But don’t lose your patience. When a friend most needs your assistance, don’t abandon them. Everybody can experience depression. You might be the next person who requires assistance with depression.

8. Plan an Emergency Action Beforehand

If you even have the least concern that your partner might harm themselves, you must intervene. Call emergency services if you believe your buddy may be considering suicide. If your friend is adamant that they don’t want assistance, you may have a difficult time choosing what to do. In the near run, they might even resent you for getting involved. But eventually, when they’re feeling better, they’ll value your prompt response.

Being depressed is a challenging condition to manage. Both for the affected person and their loved ones and family. Being there for a friend who is depressed is the most crucial thing you can do. Encourage your friend to ask for assistance and offer your own assistance if necessary.