Is My Loved One Struggling With Depression?

There continues to be a heightened focus on mental health conditions and the role they play in one’s life. Depression, for example, is a major disorder that can disrupt a person’s life. You might wonder: is my loved one struggling with depression?

Signs That Your Loved One Is Struggling With Depression

It’s important to remember that everyone is different. Your loved one might not have all the following signs of depression. However, if you notice a few from the list below, it’s a good idea to be proactive about getting them the help they need.

The range of depression symptoms can include the following:

• Disinterest in normal events that occur on a daily basis
• Lack of pleasure when engaged in hobbies, sex, sports, and other activities that used to bring joy
• Restlessness, anxiety, and/or agitation
• Suicidal thoughts, frequent mentions of death, and/or suicide attempts
• Lack of energy and overwhelming tiredness that makes even the smallest task take great effort
• Being tearful, sad and/or hopeless
• Feelings of emptiness
• Sleeping too much or having insomnia
• Appetite changes such as eating too much or not having as much of an appetite

Depression can look different in different people. If you wonder: is my loved one struggling with depression, realize that many people have symptoms so severe that it causes issues with their daily lives. School, work, relationships, and social activities can all be affected.

For other people, though, there might simply be a general feeling of being unhappy or miserable. They might not be able to pinpoint exactly why they are feeling the way they do.

If your loved one is a child or a teen, their depression might look different than others. For example, instead of being sad when they are depressed, a child or teen might be cranky or irritable.

How To Help A Loved One With Depression

It can be difficult for a person who is struggling with depression to identify the signs that they have this mental health condition. They might not know about the symptoms and signs of depression. This can make it seem like what they’re feeling is normal.

Another stumbling block that many people with depression face is the belief that having the condition is somehow shameful. They might think that they should be able to overcome their feelings if only they were strong enough or had the willpower to do so.

The truth, though, is that depression doesn’t usually get better on its own. In fact, if left untreated, depression can become worse. Using the right treatment plan can significantly change the person’s outlook.

The following are some steps you can take if you’re wondering: is my loved one struggling with depression:

Communicate

Kindly and gently, talk to your loved one about your concerns and what you’ve noticed.

Explain

Depression isn’t a weakness or a flaw in a person’s character. Instead, it’s a medical condition that can get better with the right treatment.

Get help

Encourage your loved one to get help from a trained professional. Offer to go to the appointments with them, assist them in drawing up a list of questions to ask the doctor, or attend family therapy sessions.

At Promises Behavioral Health, we understand that if you’re asking is my loved one struggling with depression, it’s time to take action. You are in a unique position to objectively note what your loved one might not be able to see for themselves. If you need more information about depression and how we can help, contact us today at 844.875.5609.

We offer a range of therapies and treatments including:

• Individualized treatment programs
• Equine-assisted psychotherapy
• Couples counseling
• Art therapy