Clinical Depression
Clinical depression, also called dysthymic disorder, major depressive disorder, or unipolar depression, is a serious medical condition that affects both the mind and the body. Depression is much more than feeling sad or being “down in the dumps." It alters a person’s behavior, ruins relationships and can be potentially ruinous to an individual’s life. If you are concerned that someone you care about might be suffering from clinical depression, passivity is the wrong reaction. Here are some symptoms to look for and advice for getting the help you need.Educate Yourself About Depression
Clinical depression can run in families, so if there is a family history of depression, it is not to be ignored. The condition tends to become apparent between the ages of fifteen and thirty years old. Depression is much more common in women. If someone you care about is depressed, you should try and learn everything that you can about the illness - read books, talk to people who you know who have had experience with the disease. Knowledge is the best way to arm yourself against this adversary.Symptoms of Depression
- Sadness that does not abate
- Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
- Unintentional weight gain or weight loss
- Difficulty sleeping, or continual oversleeping
- Energy loss
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Fatigue/ weakness
- Loss of interest in sex
- Unexplained physical ailments-head or back pain
Don’t Wait To Act
People in the grasp of depression are often unaware of the severity of their condition or they are reluctant to acknowledge the problem. They may be embarrassed about their situation or they might believe that how they are feeling and thinking is normal behavior, and not the direct result of serious illness. If this is the case, you will have to make the person aware of their condition and encourage them to seek treatment. If they don't want to seek professional help, there are self-help programs available like The Midwest Center Attacking Anxiety & Depression Program, but self-help programs should never take the place of actual professional treatment.Investigation
- Talk to the person and explain the reasons for your concern
- Suggest that other sources for the symptoms should be ruled out
- Propose a trip to the person’s primary healthcare provider and/or a mental healthcare provider
- Explain that clinical depression is a condition that is usually treated successfully
- Offer to make an initial appointment
- Offer to attend initial appointments
- Help to prepare a list of questions for the physician or therapist
- Express willingness to attend workshops or family counciling
Everyone experiences depression differently, so talking with your depressed loved one can help you to understand the nature of his or her depression and help him or her to recognize the problems it is creating in his or her life and yours. Here are some questions to help you understand how well or unwell the person is doing day-to-day.
- What are the typical signs and symptoms that are apparent in the depression of your loved one?
- What behaviors and language are present when their condition is better/worse?
- What situations worsen/lighten the episodes of depression?
- What activities are helpful when the depression worsens?
Be Supportive
The most important thing that you can do for your loved one is be as supportive as possible by:- Listening: If they are willing to talk about how they are feeling, pay attention and avoid giving advice or opinions-these reactions could discourage future conversations.
- Give Positive Reinforcement: People with depression often feel that they are worthless; it is important to remind them of their positive attributes, and their worth to you and others.
- Help to Create a Low-Stress Environment: Help to create and maintain a regular routine. The Attacking Anxiety & Depression Program has lots of ideas for coping with and managing stress daily.
- Make Plans Together: Depression makes people unmotivated to do anything that they previously enjoyed. Make plans, but don’t try to force them to do anything.
- Encourage Consistent Disease Management: Help the person to remember medications and to keep therapy appointments.
