Sadness, feeling down and having a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities are familiar feelings for all of us. But if they persist and affect our lives substantially, the issue may be depression. Depression is a medical illness that negatively affects our moods and generally how we feel. Loss of interest, tiredness and sadness are all common symptoms of depression. It can lead to emotional and physical problems that eventually disables you to function properly at home and at work.
Unfortunately, mental illness is treated as a joke in our society, issues related to mental illness are not taken seriously. One of the primary reasons given by people who fail to understand mental illness is that since it’s not a physical wound it does not exist. Have you ever noticed that when you are in your circle, with your friends and one of them says that they feel depressed, How do we respond to that? either it’s awkward silence followed by a laugh or it is treated as a joke. When educated treat mental illness as a joke, how do you expect your parents and elders to understand this?
As educated beings, we must understand this because you cannot feel something or are not going through what the person in front of you is suffering from, that doesn’t mean he/she is not valid. Understanding the basics is the key.
First, you need to know the symptoms.
- seem sad or tearful
- appear more pessimistic than usual or hopeless about the future
- talk about feeling guilty, empty, or worthless
- seem less interested in spending time together or communicate less frequently than they normally would
- get upset easily or are unusually irritable
- have less energy, move slowly, or seem generally listless
- have less interest in their appearance than usual or neglect basic hygiene, such as showering and brushing their teeth
- have trouble sleeping or sleep much more than usual
Now that you are aware of the symptoms, here’s how you can help.
Listen to your friend
One of the best ways to help a person in depression is to listen to them with all your heart. you can start the conversation like this “Hey, it seems like you have been having a hard day lately, what is in your mind?” and remember they might not want your advice so just listen. Validate their feelings. You might say, “That sounds really difficult. I’m sorry to hear that.” Show empathy and interest with your body language.
Help them find support
f your friend seems interested in counselling, offer to help them review potential therapists. You can help your friend list things to ask potential therapists and things they want to mention in their first session. Encouraging them and supporting them to make that first appointment can be so helpful if they’re struggling.
Learn about depression on your own
Imagine having to educate each person in your life about a mental or physical health issue you’re experiencing — explaining it over and over again. Sounds exhausting, right? You can talk to your friend about their specific symptoms or how they’re feeling, but avoid asking them to tell you about depression in general terms.
Read up on the symptoms, causes, diagnostic criteria, and treatments on your own. While people experience depression differently, being familiar with the general symptoms and terminology can help you have more in-depth conversations with your friend.
