(no subject)
How can I help someone who is depressed?
Be a good listener. This can be harder than it sounds. You may have to hear the same thing over and over again. It's usually best not to offer advice unless it's asked for, even if the answer seems perfectly clear to you.
Sometimes, the depression may be brought on by an identifiable problem. If so, you may be able to help the person find a solution or at least a way of tackling the difficulty.
It's helpful just to spend time with someone who is depressed. You can encourage them, help them to talk, and help them to keep going with some of the things they normally do.
Someone who is depressed will find it hard to believe that they can ever get better. You can reassure them that they will get better, but you may have to repeat this over and over again.
Make sure that they are buying enough food and eating enough.
Help them to stay away from alcohol.
If they are getting worse, and start to talk of not wanting to live, or even hinting at harming themselves, take them seriously. Make sure that they tell their doctor.
Try to help them to accept the treatment. Don't discourage them from taking medication, or seeing a counsellor or psychotherapist. If you have worries about the treatment, then you may be able to discuss them first with the doctor.
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info/help/dep/index.asp
Be a good listener. This can be harder than it sounds. You may have to hear the same thing over and over again. It's usually best not to offer advice unless it's asked for, even if the answer seems perfectly clear to you.
Sometimes, the depression may be brought on by an identifiable problem. If so, you may be able to help the person find a solution or at least a way of tackling the difficulty.
It's helpful just to spend time with someone who is depressed. You can encourage them, help them to talk, and help them to keep going with some of the things they normally do.
Someone who is depressed will find it hard to believe that they can ever get better. You can reassure them that they will get better, but you may have to repeat this over and over again.
Make sure that they are buying enough food and eating enough.
Help them to stay away from alcohol.
If they are getting worse, and start to talk of not wanting to live, or even hinting at harming themselves, take them seriously. Make sure that they tell their doctor.
Try to help them to accept the treatment. Don't discourage them from taking medication, or seeing a counsellor or psychotherapist. If you have worries about the treatment, then you may be able to discuss them first with the doctor.
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info/help/dep/index.asp