If you live with someone who has depression, you must often go through complicated situations looking for words of comfort, encouragement and even trying to find solutions to help them, but you need to be very careful to give proper support to someone with depression, otherwise the clinical picture can become even more complicated.
Depression is a psychiatric illness that causes mood disturbance, consequently bringing numerous symptoms both psychological and physical to the body. People who are within this clinical picture have chemical changes in the brain in relation to the neurotransmitters that transmit nerve impulses between cells, including serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.
It is true that psychological and social factors can trigger depression. Serious illnesses, traumas and remarkable events, hormonal changes and prolonged use of medications are among the main causes of the disease. And once acquired, some attitudes such as prolonged sadness, discouragement, crying crisis, unwillingness to perform some tasks and other things that seem to “pull you down” become part of the routine.
“You're lazy. That's freshness. Just make an effort, if you want you can get out of this. God is missing in your life. I know exactly what you're feeling". Forgets! Motivational phrases, repression or demands don't help at this time, on the contrary, it will only get in the way. If your intention is to help, first of all respect silence, insisting at any cost is a bad option. Second, see if the person really wants to be helped, otherwise any effort will also be in vain.
If the answer is yes, if she wants to be helped, you need to be there, really willing with body and soul to give help.
If words are lacking to help, bet on small gestures. Send her a message on her cell phone, an email, invite her to dinner, a walk in the park or even make yourself available to help her with some daily task.
Do not judge or criticize, any phrase used wrongly can make a person even more isolated from the rest of society.
Never minimize the pain, you don't know what the other is going through. Unless you've already gone through the same problem, then the conversation can take another direction aimed at overcoming.
A depressed person needs help and guidance, but avoid giving advice. To help her, ask questions like: What can I do to help you?
When she finally decides to leave the house, propose quiet walks without too much movement, opt for quiet places where you can talk. Avoid situations that might remind you of something negative or a past situation that made you sad.
It is noteworthy that the help of a specialist and medication cannot be ruled out.
Text written by Natália Nocelli from the Eu Sem Fronteira Team
