Depression is a serious illness. It can skew your view of the world, making everything seem hopeless. It can make work and daily life almost impossible. It can make you feel utterly alone. About 19 million Americans are living with depression right now. And the good news is a lot of treatments work to reduce depression symptoms.
• Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or numb
• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
• Irritability or anxiety
• Trouble making decisions
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• Thoughts of death and suicide
• Headaches
• Back pain
• Muscle aches and joint pain
• Chest pain
• Digestive problems
• Exhaustion and fatigue
• Sleeping problems
• Change in appetite or weight
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Get the facts
• Get other people involved
• Ask what your loved one needs
• Don’t try to solve the problem on your own. Get professional help
• Offer to help with the practical things
• Take time for yourself
• Know your limits
• Take suicide threats seriously
Offering Support to depressed people
• Don’t ask your loved one to snap out of it
• Listen
• Encourage your loved one to be more active
• Don’t push too hard
• Encourage your loved one to stick with treatment
• Create a stable environment
• Emphasize that your loved one will feel better
Reference – WebMD
