Depression is not just sadness. Assume that you are having a throbbing toothache; not able to eat, drink or sleep. Now, imagine you are not able to get relief from any medication and your friends and family completely ignore your silent plea for help. They come and tell you they’re pretty sure it’s not that bad.
That’s exactly what depression feels like.
When a person is depressed it can affect their personal life and can also affect people who care for them.It is a real illness and is not a sign of a person’s weakness.
Being sad and being depressed is not the same. Sadness is only one of the symptoms of depression.
Few alarming signs of depression
- Feeling of being hopeless and low self-esteemed.
- Feeling of anger, anxiety, and restlessness.
- Loss of interest in activities and hobbies that you loved once.
- Lack of sleep.
- Change in appetite: Too much or too less eating habits.
- Suicidal thought: Having thoughts of harming yourself.
If you have any of these classic symptoms of depression that persisted for more than few weeks seek help immediately.
How can you help?
People suffering from depression are often asked to chill, relax and move on in life. But do these suggestions actually help? So what should you do?
- Make it clear you want to help. And the first step to do that is to listen, listen to the person without judging him/her.
- Encourage them to stay healthy and participate in social activities.
- Encourage a healthy lifestyle and some sort of physical activity. A regular jog or a fifteen minutes walk can temporarily boost the feel-good hormone called Endorphins which may have long-term benefits for people with depression.
- Get enough sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs. They may give you relief initially but worsens the situation on a long run.
- Encourage them to seek professional help if required.
- Pay attention to the warning signs. Work with your doctor and find what might trigger the depression symptoms.
- Consult a specialist before starting on any supplements.
- If they are suicidal then do not leave them alone.
Remember! when you live with someone with depression, your support and encouragement can help them overcome it.
