What is Depression and Anxiety?
Perhaps, you may have heard of Depression and Anxiety, but do you know what they are and how they affect and shape the life of an individual? Do you know what to do if you know someone who is depressed? In case if you don't, this blog is the place that will help you answer a few questions about the subject matter and things you can do to help someone who's depressed or anxious.
In psychology, depression and anxiety are classified as mood disorders. It may be described as feeling of prolonged sadness (could be cited for various reasons e.g. death of a loved one, breakups), unnecessary rumination or overthinking. Anything that could lead to your low productivity and make you feel down longer than the period necessary is mostly termed as depression or anxiety. Generally, it is normal for anyone to feel sad or upset. But if the feeling lasts longer, it needs to be addressed. The issue of depression is something that should not be taken lightly. It should be treated with utter seriousness.
The most dangerous part of depression and anxiety is that it can lead to suicidal thoughts (which normally happens under most circumstances) and eventually it can lead one to commit suicide, which is absolutely dangerous. Life is precious and losing a loved one is the worse thing that could happen to anyone.
However, if you discover that your loved one is at the brink of suicidal thoughts, you need to act immediately and that too in a positive manner.
Does words of encouragement help?
We often hear phrases like "I am always there for you" or "Drop a call or a message if you need to talk", but do they help? It's always good to give assurance but people who are suffering from mental disorders will barely reach out to you.
What you need to do is to reach out yourself to a friend or a family member who you think has been disconnected and occupied for a couple of time now. Don't just let them know that you're a message or a phone call away. Remember, the phone works both ways, you also need to take the initiative or make the effort too.
Identifying symptoms
The first thing you need to do is to identify symptoms. Although it may look as though nothing is wrong with a person who's going through anxiety or depression, but there are obvious signs you should be able to notice no matter how much they try to hide.
How to spot signs of Anxiety and Depression:
- 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
- care less about their usual activities and interests
- seem forgetful or have trouble concentrating or deciding on things
- eat more or less than usual
- talks about death or suicide
Diagnosis
I am not a medical expert and nor am I claiming to be one. I have been through depression and I know what it feels like when one is going through a traumatic experience. Whenever I hear anyone being depressed or anxious, I immediately reach out. I battled my own way through depression. Listed below are few ways you can help.
1. Lend an ear and listen, really!!!
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?”.
Your friend may not feel like talking the first time you ask, it can help to continue telling them you care. Keep asking open questions (without being pushy) and expressing your concern. Try to have conversations in person whenever possible. If you live in different areas, try video chatting.
2. Help find support
Your friend may not be aware they’re dealing with depression, or they may be unsure how to reach out for support.
Even if they know therapy could help, it can be daunting to search for a therapist here in Fiji and make an appointment.
If your friend seems interested in counseling, 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.
3. Take care of yourself too, it's important
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.
People living with depression may have a hard time reaching out to friends and making or keeping plans. But canceling plans can contribute to guilt. A pattern of canceled plans may lead to fewer invitations, which can increase isolation. These feelings can worsen depression.
You can help reassure your friend by continuing to extend invitations to activities, invite them for a coffee or a video game over the weekend. You can also grab some coffee from a drive-through and drive to your favorite country-side or seaside. And chat!!!
5. Be patient
Depression usually improves with treatment, but it can be a slow process that involves some trial and error. They may have to try a few different counseling approaches or medications before they find one that helps their symptoms.
Even successful treatment doesn’t always mean depression goes away entirely. Your friend may continue to have symptoms from time to time.
In the meantime, they’ll probably have some good days and some bad days. Avoid assuming a good day means they’re “cured,” and try not to get frustrated if a string of bad days makes it seem like your friend will never improve.