Introduction
Taking care of a family member who is depressed isn't an easy task at all, I understand this fact - But all you need to do is be patient and available for him 24*7! Feeling helpless and confused about what measures to take up to help the depressed person is very normal. Please, don't panic!
By understanding the nature and the warning signs of depression, you will be easily able to take the right steps at the right time.
With the right awareness, comes the right knowledge! By understanding what must be done to tackle this situation well, you will be able to identify a lot of the necessary things required to take care of a depressed family member.
How to become self-qualified enough at home to treat a depressed person?
Staying up-to-date on depression
Sucking all the knowledge and latest updates on depression will help you treat your family person who is undergoing depression in the best possible manner with the right talks and assistance. It will help you to put yourself in the shoes of the person who is suffering, making you more aware of how to act.
How to do it?
- Search content on depression from Google
- Stay updated to the latest depression news and overcoming challenges
- Stay in touch with at least one of the mental health expert
Self Care
Self-care is a must! Taking care of a depressed person can pass the depression vibes on to the individuals around him. So, you as a caretaker need to make sure to think and grab positivity by all means such that you can pass it into the depressed person for his well-being.
How to do it?
- Complete 8 hours of sleep minimum
- Take sunbath
- Walk-in nature barefoot
- Find time to devote to your hobbies
- Learn about spirituality
- Eat healthily
- Check motivational videos
- Take time for physical activities and exercises at home
Have Patience
Patience here is the key to everything! You need to have 100% patience and control your frustration while treating somebody suffering from depression. The patient might or might not show spontaneous results after taking antidepressant medications. He might be asked to change it over time. So be patient with him in his journey of recovering.
How to do it?
- Do breathing exercises daily
- Uplift your aura by meditation
- Do hot water bath
- Read books
- Listen to peaceful music
- Stay hydrated
How to take care of a depressed family member?
Available 24*7 to Listen
Sometimes all we need is somebody who can hear us without any false judgment. It gives the personal sense of his thoughts, sufferings, and feelings being valued. This is one of the most important ways you need to learn to help a depressed person.
According to the researchers, - 'Just by listening to others for hours without any judgments, declarations, advice, and opinions, you can deeply heal them from within at a faster rate with 40% effectiveness.'
Connect with the Recognized Groups
Take your depressed family member for the general counseling sessions to the organizations, NGOs, counselors, advisers, and psychologists who aim to provide help for the depressed people.
You can reach out to many organizations like Employee Assistance Programs, Faith-Based Organizations, National Alliance on Mental Illness, etc.
Spread Positive Vibes
'Be a ray of light in the darkness.' Being an illuminator, you are just not doing good to the depressed person but also helping the world in healing.
As the spiritual realm states that, - 'Healing oneself is healing the entire universe. And, there is nothing pure than this. The good you do to others by sparkling lights and filling colors to their entire world will come back to you in the most unexpected ways.'
Engage in Activities
Engaging somebody into doing some activity does not mean that you have to necessarily force him for it. Be gentle to the depressed person, talk to him and make plans with him like everything is normal.
Never tell the depressed person that he is depressed and he needs to change, - it will worsen his situation!
Make simple plans with the depressed person like painting, watching a movie, going to a nearby park, visiting the stand-up comedian shows, going out to the Mall for shopping, and a good dinner.
Stick to Treatment
A depressed person undergoing depression treatment may require the intake of recommended medications.
You as a caretaker of your loved one need to know that the depressed person might not be mentally capable enough to remember small things.
You need to make sure that the patient at home is taking the medicines and attempting the therapy sessions on time. Help the depressed person by scheduling the entire day and household activities for him.
Learn and Teach Spirituality
Spirituality has healing powers like nothing else! Giving all of you to the spiritual world, understanding its purpose, and learning from it can be miraculously beneficial to treat a depressed person by mentally healing him.
There are a lot of meditations out there available online and satgurus talking about the spiritual world, your purpose in life, how powerful and valuable you are. All of this will positively impact the brain cells of a depressed person helping him to recover soon.
What things do you need to keep in mind at the time of treating a depressed person?
Suicidal Risk Recognition
Depressed people are at a huge risk of having suicidal tendencies. Recognize it in advance before it's too late!
Highlights
Call 911 immediately, in US and 112 in India
Call the toll free number and seek help
Ask for help from a friend, relative, or the mental health counselors who are in touch with him
Ensure that the depressed person's environment is safe like having no fire element or knife to harm himself.
Offer him help, let him speak about what's going in his head
Warning Signs Recognition
Many depressed people will try to indicate their actions and behavior before harming themselves. Note those warning signs!
Highlights
No social contact
Watching suicide videos or on how to die?
Self-destruction like cutting hands with blades, attempting to drink poison, etc
Excess dose of alcohol, drugs, and smoke
Social media status, like 'goodbye everybody' - giving a gesture of he living the world forever
Self Awareness About Depression Symptoms
Know yourself about depression symptoms before treating the patient at home.
Highlights
- Anger, sadness, crying
- Loss of appetite
- Sleeping disorder
- Feeling of guilt, worthlessness, and emptiness
- Social anxiety
- Involvement in self-destruction activities
- Suicidal thoughts & attempts
- Headache, body pain
Persuade Depression Treatment
Encourage the person for help from counselors. Help him with scheduling his meetings and going along with him for the treatment.
Highlights
Make him comfortable about getting treated externally
Make him understand that depression is not a weakness or a flaw of a person. It is as normal as getting a fever!
Final Words
Depression can hit anybody among your known ones or unknown ones! Just because you are fine doesn't mean that you don't need to have any knowledge on this subject. You must stay up to date with all its symptoms, as you may need to take care of somebody undergoing this phase of depressing episodes at your home itself. A depressed person will be juggling so much that he will be hardly focused on treating himself or fixing an appointment with the therapist. Being a responsible family member, you must be able to manage the risk before it arrives!
Reference
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression/art-20045943