Answer:
How to tell when someone is depressed: You will be able to notice someone is depressed because they'll have feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness and/or hopelessness. They will also have angry outburst, irritability and/or frustration over small matters.
Behaviour:
- not going out anymore
- not getting things done at work/school
- withdrawing from close family and friends
Feelings:
- overwhelmed
- guilty
- lacking in confidence
- indecisive
- disappointed
- miserable
- sad
Thoughts:
- 'I’m a failure.'
- 'It’s my fault.'
- 'I’m worthless.'
- 'Life’s not worth living.'
- People would be better off without me.'
Physical:
- tired all the time
- sick and run down
- headaches and muscle pain
- sleep problems
- loss or change of appetite
1. Listen to them
Let your friend know you’re there for them. You can start the conversation by sharing your concerns and asking a specific question. For example, you might say, “It seems like you’ve been having a hard time lately. What’s on your mind?”
2. Help them find support:
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.
3. Support them in continuing therapy:
On a bad day, your friend might not feel like leaving the house. Depression can zap energy and increase the desire to self-isolate. If they say something like, “I think I’m going to cancel my therapy appointment,” encourage them to stick with it. If your friend wants to stop taking medication because of unpleasant side effects, be supportive, but encourage them to talk to their psychiatrist about switching to a different antidepressant or getting off medication entirely.
4. Take care of yourself
When you care about someone who’s living with depression, it’s tempting to drop everything to be by their side and support them. It’s not wrong to want to help a friend, but it’s also important to take care of your own needs. If you put all your energy into supporting your friend, you’ll have very little left for yourself. And if you’re feeling burned out or frustrated, you won’t be much help to your friend.
Set boundaries:
Setting boundaries can help. For example, you might let your friend know you’re available to talk after you get home from work, but not before then. If you’re concerned about them feeling like they can’t reach you, offer to help them come up with a contingency plan if they need you during your work day.
Practice self-care:
Spending a lot of time with a loved one who has depression can take an emotional toll. Know your limits around difficult emotions, and make sure you take time to recharge.
5. 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.