Friday, March 22, 2024

How To Deal With Someone With Depression And Anxiety

Support Them In Continuing Therapy

How to Deal with Anxiety attacks & Depression

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 Im going to cancel my therapy appointment, encourage them to stick with it.

You might say, Last week you said your session was really productive and you felt a lot better afterward. What if todays session helps, too?

The same goes for medication. If your friend wants to stop taking medication because of unpleasant side effects, be supportive, but encourage them to talk with their psychiatrist about switching to a different antidepressant or stopping their medication entirely.

Abruptly stopping antidepressants without the supervision of a healthcare professional may have serious consequences. Typically, reaching out to a healthcare professional before stopping medication use can prevent health complications.

Both Of You Need Support

Nevertheless, when additional responsibilities do appear, you shouldnt burden yourself with all of them because you will crack under pressure too sooner or later. Always staying strong for two can become immensely difficult and draining, which is why you shouldnt be ashamed of needing help every now and then.

The American Psychological Association emphasizes the importance of both partners finding proper support to help them navigate the situation. This means that both you and your mentally ill partner need someone or something to lean on. For them, there is always talk therapy, and when all else fails you are still there for them.

But constantly being someones rock can take a toll on you. Thus, you need to find support as well. You wont be selfish for wanting this. The best way to go about this is by connecting with other partners or family members of mental health patients. After all, no one can understand what youre going through better than a person who is or used to be in the same situation.

There are many support groups dedicated to such people, and many of them are online as well. Joining such a group is essential especially if youve just recently started to experience these issues because some of the people on there surely have been through it all, and therefore can offer you valuable pieces of advice on coping with your problems.

Depression And Suicide: Getting Help In A Crisis

Some people who are depressed may think about hurting themselves or committing suicide . If you or someone you know is having thoughts about hurting themselves or committing suicide please seek immediate help. The following resources can help:

Textbox module not selected or not found.

Recommended Reading: What Is The Difference Between Loneliness And Depression

Where Can I Find Clinical Trials For Depression

Clinical trials are research studies that look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and conditions. Although individuals may benefit from being part of a clinical trial, participants should be aware that the primary purpose of a clinical trial is to gain new scientific knowledge so others may receive better help in the future.

Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health and around the country conduct many studies with patients and healthy volunteers. Talk to your health care provider about clinical trials, their benefits and risks, and whether one is right for you. For more information, visit NIMH’s clinical trials information.

Signs That Someone May Be Depressed

Tips To Deal With Depression

Depression has lots of possible symptoms.

You may notice that someone:

  • has lost interest in doing things they normally enjoy
  • seems to be feeling down or hopeless
  • has slower speech and movements or is more fidgety and restless than usual
  • feels tired or does not have much energy
  • is overeating or has lost their appetite
  • is sleeping more than usual or is not able to sleep
  • has trouble concentrating on everyday things, such as watching TV or reading the paper

Don’t Miss: Can Depression Make You Lightheaded

Coping With Depression Tip : Reach Out And Stay Connected

Getting support plays an essential role in overcoming depression. On your own, it can be difficult to maintain a healthy perspective and sustain the effort required to beat depression. At the same time, the very nature of depression makes it difficult to reach out for help. When youre depressed, the tendency is to withdraw and isolate so that connecting to even close family members and friends can be tough.

You may feel too exhausted to talk, ashamed at your situation, or guilty for neglecting certain relationships. But this is just the depression talking. Staying connected to other people and taking part in social activities will make a world of difference in your mood and outlook. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness and it wont mean youre a burden to others. Your loved ones care about you and want to help. And if you dont feel that you have anyone to turn to, its never too late to build new friendships and improve your support network.

Need to talk to someone?

Get affordable online counseling from BetterHelp or visit HelpGuides directory for free helplines and crisis resources. HelpGuide is reader supported. We may receive a commission if you sign up for BetterHelp through the provided link. Learn more.

Look For Signs That Treatment Is Working

There are lots of little ways to tell when treatment works it will be clear in the ways that your loved one looks and acts, says Angelos Halaris, MD, PhD, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of outpatient clinical services at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

As they improve, someone with depression may start making better eye contact with you instead of looking down to avoid eye contact due to feeling vulnerable or anxious. Other signs of improvement, according to Dr. Halaris, include:

  • Smiling occasionally and having more relaxed instead of tense facial features
  • Having a calmer demeanor
  • Isolating less and interacting with people more
  • Eating and sleeping better

RELATED: The 10 Best Foods to Soothe Seasonal Depression

Recommended Reading: Signs Your Daughter Is Depressed

The Advantages Of Online Therapy For Mental Wellness Customers

Online treatment is a terrific means for people with psychological health conditions to get the assistance they need. It offers a simple and also practical means to connect with a specialist and also receive treatment.

Online treatment has actually been shown to have lots of advantages for the customer, such as enhanced gain access to, ease and privacy. The biggest benefit of online therapy is that it permits clients to get treatment without travelling or waiting in lengthy lines at a center or healthcare facility.

Numerous therapists utilize on the internet therapy to supplement their job due to the fact that it allows them extra flexibility in organizing consultations as well as offers them with even more choices for customers that can not make it into their office. Assessing Anxiety And Depression Online

What Its Like Living With Someone Who Has Depression

How To Deal With Depression | 12 Ways To Fight Depression And Anxiety

When a loved one or family member has depression, it takes a toll on the whole household. Parents with a teen or adult child with a depressive disorder may feel an obligation to rescue them. Children with a parent who is struggling with the condition may think theyre at fault for their parents negative attitudes and behaviors. And having a spouse or significant other with this common psychiatric disorder may wonder if their relationship will survive.

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions, affecting approximately 17.3 million Americans. And those rates are rising due to the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, twice as many people reported symptoms of the disorder during the pandemic compared to a 2014 national survey that asked about depressed moods. This means more Americans are living with someone who is depressed, which can make you feel anxious, angry, frustrated, neglected, or unloved.

Also Check: Is Depression Really A Disease

Dealing With The Winter Blues

For some people, the reduced daylight hours of winter lead to a form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder . SAD can make you feel like a completely different person to who you are in the summer: hopeless, sad, tense, or stressed, with no interest in friends or activities you normally love. No matter how hopeless you feel, though, there are plenty of things you can do to keep your mood stable throughout the year.

Do Keep Lines Of Communication Open

When it comes to helping someone with anxiety, it is important to keep an open line of communication with them.

If you are able to, see the person regularly as this will help with managing anxiety. Spend one-on-one time with them so that they have opportunities to talk about anything they feel anxious about. You can also keep in touch over the phone, video or phone calling them once a week, or sending a text every few days just to see how their week is going.

You May Like: How To Cure Depression And Anxiety

Understanding Anxiety And What It Is Doing To Your Partner

Learning some basic facts about anxiety will help you better understand and support your partner. Psychologist Dave Carbonell, Ph.D. and therapist Dr. Helen Odessky, among other mental health professionals, recommended you keep these ones in mind:

  • Anxiety is a real problem, not something made up. It is a mental health issue.
  • Anxiety is normal. Everyone has it. It only becomes an issue or disorder if it is severe.
  • Anxiety can be a debilitating illness that prevents people from functioning and living a normal life.
  • Anxiety makes people experience fight-or-flight reactions and stress to issues that are not life-threatening, including worrying about whether a partner will cheat or leave.
  • You cannot fix or cure anxiety.
  • Most people who have anxiety wish they didnt have it. They worry about their anxiety being a burden to others.
  • There are millions of people who, despite dealing with anxiety, have great relationships and are happy.
  • Symptoms of anxiety can occur in waves, consistently or both. People with anxiety disorders or issues can have periods of time when they dont experience symptoms.
  • Anxiety is not logical or rational. It causes people to worry about something despite there being no evidence to suggest it is worth worrying about. It also causes them to sometimes act irrationally. Your partner most likely knows this.
  • Anxiety is not a weakness.
  • Anxiety is treatable. Psychotherapy can relieve symptoms and teach people how to better cope with it.

Alcohol Tobacco And Other Drugs

How to Cope at a Party When Anxiety is Your Plus

Misusing alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs can have both immediate and long-term health effects.

The misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and prescription medications affect the health and well-being of millions of Americans. SAMHSAs 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that approximately 19.3 million people aged 18 or older had a substance use disorder in the past year.

Don’t Miss: Pills For Depression And Anger

Learn About What Your Friend Is Going Through

Not totally sure what depression or anxiety are, or how to help a friend with depression or anxiety? A really great first step in helping your friend is to find out more about depression, anxiety or anything else your friend is going through this will help you to better understand what’s happening and how they feel.

My friends try to learn more about what Im experiencing, especially asking for and going to sources of information I recommend. hellofriend

Recognizing Depression Symptoms In A Loved One

Family and friends are often the first line of defense in the fight against depression. Thats why its important to understand the signs and symptoms of depression. You may notice the problem in a depressed loved one before they do, and your influence and concern can motivate them to seek help.

Be concerned if your loved one:

Doesnt seem to care about anything anymore. Has lost interest in work, sex, hobbies, and other pleasurable activities. Has withdrawn from friends, family, and other social activities.

Expresses a bleak or negative outlook on life. Is uncharacteristically sad, irritable, short-tempered, critical, or moody talks about feeling helpless or hopeless.

Frequently complains of aches and pains such as headaches, stomach problems, and back pain. Or complains of feeling tired and drained all the time.

Sleeps less than usual or oversleeps. Has become indecisive, forgetful, disorganized, and out of it.

Eats more or less than usual, and has recently gained or lost weight.

Drinks more or abuses drugs, including prescription sleeping pills and painkillers, as a way to self-medicate how theyre feeling.

Read Also: Find Your Words Depression Test

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Depression In Men

Different men have different symptoms, but some common depression symptoms include:

  • Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
  • Feeling anxious, restless, or on the edge
  • Loss of interest in work, family, or once-pleasurable activities
  • Problems with sexual desire and performance
  • Feeling sad, “empty,” flat, or hopeless
  • Not being able to concentrate or remember details
  • Feeling very tired, not being able to sleep, or sleeping too much
  • Overeating or not wanting to eat at all
  • Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
  • Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
  • Inability to meet the responsibilities of work, caring for family, or other important activities
  • Engaging in high-risk activities
  • A need for alcohol or drugs
  • Withdrawing from family and friends or becoming isolated

Not every man who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some men experience only a few symptoms while others may experience many.

Offer To Help With Everyday Tasks

How To Help Someone With Anxiety or Depression

With depression, day-to-day tasks can feel overwhelming. Things like laundry, grocery shopping, or paying bills can begin to pile up, making it hard to know where to start.

Your friend may appreciate an offer of help, but they also might not be able to clearly say what they need help with.

So, instead of saying Let me know if theres anything I can do, consider saying, What do you most need help with today?

If you notice their refrigerator is empty, say Can I take you grocery shopping, or pick up what you need if you write me a list? or Lets go get some groceries and cook dinner together.

If your friend is behind on dishes, laundry, or other household chores, offer to come over, put some music on, and tackle a specific task together. Simply having company can make the work seem less daunting.

Read Also: What To Do If Your Suffering From Depression

You Are Not The Cause Of Their Depression

When your partner is suffering from a bout of depression, itcan be difficult to understand that they arent acting this way because ofsomething you did. The same can be said for anxiety. Your partner isntsuffering from an anxiety attack because they dont trust you, theyresuffering from an illness.

Assuming that you are the root cause of their struggles can lead your partner to feel you dont understand their struggles. In the same light, assuming youre the root cause will make you feel upset. Their daily struggle exists independently from your relationship.

Dating someone with depression and anxiety its challenging. The easiest way to make your partner feel loved and secure during these times is to recognize that their illness is just that: An illness. Treat them with the same care you would if he or she had a common cold.

Conflicts Are More Difficult

Although conflicts are an integral part of any healthy relationship, the important thing is to navigate them properly. But when your partner isnt in the best mental state, this wont always happen. In fact, when dating someone with anxiety, schizophrenia and other mental disorders, things tend to get out of hand a lot easier in this situation. Thus, even a regular petty squabble can degenerate into something far more serious.

Tense situations need a resolution in order to disappear, and when they dont get it, they simply intensify. Due to this, you might even find that the two of you are arguing far more often. Its important to acknowledge if this is happening and seek proper help for it if the two of you can no longer sort it out and you feel that you fail to support your partner through rough times.

Talking things through always helps, but if you feel like resentment and contempt are starting to bubble up, you can also try couples therapy. Admitting that you have a problem isnt shameful at all. In fact, its an important first step towards actually solving it. Nevertheless, when your partner is fighting their own battle, this will be difficult to attempt.

Also Check: Does Smoking Cause Anxiety And Depression

Treatment Options For Patients With Anxiety

There are two primary treatments for individuals with anxiety:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy , which involves learning how to lower anxiety and face distressing situations.
  • Medication management with antidepressants, which works well on its own but even better when coupled with CBT.

During therapy, continue to show your support by:

  • Asking your loved one what you can do to help them.
  • Asking if you can attend a therapy session to learn some skills to better support them.
  • Making time for your own life and interests to sustain your energy.
  • Encouraging your loved one to try another therapist if the first one isnt a good fit.

Going To Therapy Yourself

How to help someone with depression and anxiety

Whether your partner accepts or resists your suggestion to go to therapy, you should do it yourself. It will help you develop the skills necessary to understand and cope with your partners anxiety. A therapist can also teach you how to more effectively support your anxious partner.

When you are dating someone with anxiety, its easy to forget about taking care of yourself. By going to therapy, you can ensure you are still focusing on your own mental health.

You May Like: What To Do When Starting To Feel Depressed

Popular Articles
Related news