How To Help A Loved One Suffering From Depression
Watching a loved one suffer from depression is hard. You feel helpless. All you want to do is help them feel better. But when it becomes obvious you can’t take their pain away, you can become frustrated.
As a friend or family member of someone suffering from depression, it’s important to remember that your loved one is dealing with a real medical condition and you are, most likely, not equipped to handle their recovery alone.
Having said that, there are things you can do to support your loved one and help them on their journey back toward health and happiness. Here are some simple and important ways you can help.
Understand Treatment for Depression is Important
As we mentioned, depression is a medical condition and it requires treatment from a professional therapist. Do not try and take on someone’s depression by yourself. Yes, lend support, care, and compassion, but understand that they will need medical treatment, just as they would if their leg was broken. If they themselves do not recognize how important treatment is, do your best to help them understand. Counseling for depression in Columbia, MO may be a great option!
Talk to the Person Who is Depressed
Often loved ones suffering from depression are the topic of conversation, but not part of it. It’s not enough to talk to other family members and discuss how concerned you are about your sister or uncle, let your sister and uncle know you see them suffering and you’re there for support. Offer to drive them to depression therapy or simply lend an ear. Those suffering from depression or are experiencing signs of depression often feel lonely and isolated, so reach out as best you can.
Encouraged them to Stay Engaged
Those suffering from depression typically lose interest in activities they once found enjoyable. You can help your loved one by getting them active and part of the world once more. The key here is to be patient and stay committed. You can’t force your loved one to take you up on an invitation. Don’t bully them, just encourage them as best you can. Should they say “no” to your invite 50 times, don’t give up on them. Be patient, stay committed, and continue to extend your hand. Through weekly treatment they will eventually come around and say “yes.” That is why starting with a depression counselor in Columbia is so crucial.
Learn About Depression
One of the best things you can possibly do to support your loved one who is suffering from depression is to learn as much about the condition as you possibly can. It’s a good idea to speak with their therapist to get recommendations of resources that will help you learn more. Some of the signs of depression are subtle, so it’s important to learn what those signs are.
Watching a loved one suffer from depression is not easy, but knowing there are ways you can help them will lighten the load for you both.
Take any Suicide Threat Seriously
I often see loved ones assume a person doesn’t mean it when they talk about ending their own life. I get it. You see everything your loved on has to live for and can’t imagine why they would want to die. The idea of them taking their own life hurts and it’s easier not to think about it. That is the reason it’s important to talk to a mental health professional and get an outsider’s perspective of the risk. Even if your loved on is just “trying to get attention,” please don’t make them up the ante to get that attention. Show them you care, listen and get help. This blog post talks about how to respond when a teenager threatens suicide, but the tips really can apply to responding to any family member’s threat of suicide.
Counseling for Depression in Columbia, MO
If you or a loved one is interested in exploring treatment for depression, please contact Aspire Counseling today. We would be happy to speak with you about how counseling may be able to help you or your loved one recover from depression. We are a Columbia, MO area counseling clinic and have several mental health therapists each with different personalities, training and experience so we will take the time to make sure you or your loved one is matched with the right therapist. Several of our therapists specialize in treating depression. Whether your loved one’s depression is chronic and has been going on for years or has popped up recently, we can help. Some of our therapists even offer Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) which is the evidence based treatment for people who have frequently experienced suicidal thoughts or self harm regularly. Depression can and does get better. Healing starts here. Call 573-328-2288 to start counseling today.
Begin Counseling Today With Aspire Counseling!
If you are grieving from losing a loved one and you’re beginning to experience signs of depression please reach out to us today through the contact form on this page or by calling 573-328-2288. We have therapists trained in treatments such as Mindfulness who will be glad to help you find some ways to find peace. We will help you to look straight at them and figure out how to begin taking the power, access calmness, and move forward! If you think you would benefit from working with a therapist who focuses on mindfulness and you live in the Columbia, MO area, we’d love to help. Typically, Aspire Counseling therapists are ready to meet you where you are in your healing. To get started follow these simple steps:
1. Call 573-328-2288 or fill out our contact form.
2. Meet with one of our therapists for a free consultation.
3. Start finding closure and feel better from your depression.
Other Mental Health Services at Aspire Counseling
Mindfulness for Mental Health Counseling is not the only services we offer at our Columbia, MO clinic. Other mental health services that Aspire Counseling provides include anxiety treatment, depression counseling, counseling for college students, counseling for caregivers, grief counseling, teen counseling, counseling for adults, LGBTQIA+ affirming counseling, DBT, trauma therapy for children and teens, counseling for sexual assault survivors, and online therapy. Contact us today!
