How to Support Someone Who Is Dealing with Depression

Depression is a common, widely accepted health condition. But, despite such awareness, it remains difficult to grasp what it is and how it feels. However, in the name of helping others, anyone can attain enough knowledge to support someone dealing with depression without resorting to comments like, “Cheer up” or “Why can’t you just snap out of it?”

If you don’t know what to do to help a person in your life who is dealing with depression, you’re not alone. This post is for you and for anyone who could use a crash course in being a supportive friend, partner, or family member.

Some Basics About Depression

• Over one-quarter of a billion people across the world (more women than men) struggle with some form of depression, e.g. major depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), postpartum depression, and more.
• Symptoms include feelings of hopelessness, being unable to enjoy activities you once loved, physical issues often related to sleep and digestion, and thoughts of self-harm. With general suicide rates on the rise, it’s essential never to downplay the association between depression and suicidal ideation.
• Depression is treatable. Roughly 8 out of 10 folks who seek treatment show positive results in a matter of weeks. However, most people with depression avoid talking about it or seeking out professional help.

Simply put, one of the most basic and urgent steps you can take is to encourage people with depression to get treatment. Fortunately, at the same time, there’s plenty more you can do to play a positive role in their recovery.

How to Support Someone Dealing with Depression

No one wants to be depressed or deserves to be blamed for the diagnosis. On the contrary, what they truly need is validation and encouragement to help counter the cycle of negative thoughts they’re experiencing. When they tell you how hopeless or worthless they feel, you can reply without sounding like you’re arguing with them.

Remind them that depression is a skilled and notorious liar. This disorder embeds false, negative beliefs, so rather than debating such thought patterns, share new ones. Let them know you hear them, you care about them, and you’re here to support them in any way you can. Some of those support steps might include:

Help Them Create a Support System

When you’re feeling drained, despondent, and useless, it’s understandably hard to imagine others showing up for you. Therefore, step up to help someone with depression and go through the steps to recruit a support team around them. The presence of loving souls in their lives is of immeasurable value. Do whatever you can reasonably do to take self-isolation and withdrawal off the list of your loved one’s options.

Guide Them Through Self-Care

Stress will exacerbate depression symptoms. Help someone dealing with depression to institute daily rituals of self-care. From healthy eating habits, regular sleep patterns, relaxation techniques, and beyond, self-care builds resilience and serves to remind us that we are worthy of such efforts. Whenever possible, get them up and moving — preferably outdoors in the sunlight.

Add Structure to Their Life

As anyone with depression can attest, this condition is not conducive to conquering any to-do lists. The lack of accomplishments, in turn, can add to the burden of despair. Without being overly controlling, you can be indispensable by helping them set up a schedule, a regular bedtime routine, etc.

Take Care of Yourself

If you become a caretaker of sorts, be sure not to neglect your own basic needs. The better you care for yourself, the better positioned you are to help someone with depression.

Also, remember you’re not alone. Depression counseling offers many proven methods for managing depression, both for someone who is dealing with it as well as those who are trying to help them. If you need support in the name of offering support, I invite you to reach out soon. Contact my office and schedule a consultation.