Family and Friends Can Help

canadian goose jacket When Scott Davis, 38, was suffering from major depression, he confided in his sister law. “One day I found myself talking to her about all my fears about the depression, and the medication and therapy I was beginning. I was overcome with anxiety about my future, and she said, ‘I’ve been there.’ Those three words lifted all the pain I was feeling.” canadian goose jacket

Few decisions are as personal as whether to tell a loved one that you are suffering from major depression. “Telling someone about depression isn’t something canada goose outlet store uk that you should enter into lightly, but if you choose a person whom you can trust, it can be a positive experience,” Davis says.

Xavier Amador, PhD, an adjunct canada goose outlet nyc professor of clinical psychology at Columbia University, says confiding in one trusted person is a key part of the treatment. iphone 8 case outlet canada goose outlet canada “If you can, try to find someone who believes that depression is an illness. Most people don’t know all that much about it. A lot of suffering is prolonged by not telling someone.”

canada goose coats on sale Kristen, who asked that her last name not be used, says she had been depressed for most of her teenage years. But she didn’t tell her parents about her illness until she landed in a psychiatric ward at the age of 20 and they called her cell phone, wanting to know https://www.pick-canadagoose.com where she was. “I didn’t want to put them through it, even though I had been depressed for a long time. I knew how much it would hurt them, and I didn’t want to do that to them,” she canada goose black friday sale says. canada goose coats on sale

Canada Goose Coats On Sale Kristen, now 25, said her parents were “fantastic,” educating themselves about depression and acting as case managers by interacting with her treatment team when she could not. Canada Goose Coats On Sale

canada goose uk black friday She says that people who are depressed have to do what’s best for them in their situation. “I know people whose parents kicked them out of the house, or who don’t believe in depression,” she says. “Whether to divulge or canada goose outlet uk not is a very personal thing.” canada goose uk black friday

Depression: How to Approach Family and canada goose outlet uk sale Friends

uk canada goose outlet Most people still know little about major depression. A loved one canada goose outlet store may be frightened by seeing someone in its grip, canada goose jacket outlet even if they want to canada goose outlet black friday help. uk canada goose outlet

canada goose uk shop You may not want or be able to go into a lengthy discussion with them about what major depression is, but Davis recommends that you don’t sugarcoat it either. “If you have severe depression, tell them,” he says. canada goose uk shop

canada goose uk outlet You might tell the person that you probably canada goose outlet won’t feel like talking much or doing any of the activities you used to enjoy, but that canada goose outlet jackets their support is comforting. outlet iphone xr case online If you feel like going for a walk or seeing a funny movie, ask them canada goose outlet shop to canada goose outlet toronto factory go with you but not to push you to do more. canada goose uk outlet

canada goose store A very important note: If you are feeling suicidal, goose outlet canada it’s not the time to be secretive. outlet iphone 8 case Call canada goose outlet reviews 911 or go to an emergency room or call a suicide hotline. Your call will remain confidential, and the people on the other end of the line are well trained. canada goose store

Depression: How Family and Loved Ones May Respond

Canada Goose Parka When you tell a family member that you have depression, the person may not know how to react. iphone 8 case outlet Be prepared for a range of emotions, from confusion to anger to denial. iphone xr case for sale Canada Goose Parka

canada goose black friday sale If the loved one says something along the lines of “it’s all in your head,” canada goose outlet online or “why don’t you just snap out of it,” (treatment can take weeks to kick in), Amador suggests that you say, “I’d be the first person to snap out of this if I could,” and “I’m going to be better soon, but please try to be patient.” Later, when you’re feeling better, you can provide more canada goose factory outlet details or help to educate the loved one about major depression. canada goose black friday sale

A loved one is likely to suggest various “home remedies” to help you, such as going out for a drink, or using “tough love,” Amador says. “It’s important to ask your loved ones not to canada goose outlet pressure you.” Although it’s obvious that alcohol won’t help your depression and is, in fact, a depressant, “tough canada goose outlet sale love rarely works canada goose outlet parka with depression and can be canada goose outlet new york city damaging,” he says. Still, it’s good to give a friend or loved one a sense of hope about the illness. “Tell them you are taking steps to get better,” he says.

Canada Goose sale If your spouse or close friend wants you to go to a social event and you’re not up to it, ask him to watch a movie with you instead. “Having someone gently prod you to go for a walk, or to a lighthearted movie, can be beneficial,” Amador says. Exercise is a proven mood booster. Canada Goose sale

canada goose clearance Be sure to ask the person who is giving support how he or she is doing. “When you give back to someone, you’re reminding yourself that you care about the other person, too, that you can be a giving person, even if you aren’t able to respond fully because of the depression,” Amador says. canada goose clearance

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There are several practical steps a spouse, sibling, friend, or parent can take to help a loved one who is experiencing major depression:

Make sure the person is taking his medication; offer to drive him to doctors’ or therapist appointments or to fill prescriptions. In Kristen’s case, her parents official canada goose outlet were a conduit for information, talking to various doctors and therapists when she couldn’t.

cheap Canada Goose Provide feedback. Someone with major depression is probably in therapy or on medication (or both). By keeping an eye out for certain behaviors, you’ll help the person report back to his doctor. This is particularly helpful if the loved one has anxiety or isn’t sure if medication is working. cheap Canada Goose

Provide financial help. Therapy and medications are expensive and may not be covered by insurance.

canada goose coats Be there, even if you’re not talking. When someone is feeling anxious or sad, knowing he or she is not alone is an immense help. canada goose coats

buy canada goose jacket “Just knowing that someone else canada goose outlet in usa knows that you’re suffering can be a very good and safe feeling,” Davis says. “Everyone likes to know that someone is in their corner.”Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD on July 07, 2009 buy canada goose jacket.