Even people who haven’t suffered any form of depression benefit from having an understanding of this condition that is surrounded by so much stigma. It’s been proved that 9 out of 10 people who suffer from this condition have faced discrimination and been stigmatised as a result.
There’s a huge difference between saying you ‘feel depressed’ because you’re sad and actually suffering from depression. Depression is the most common mental health disorder in the UK.
Depression shows itself in many different ways, but it typically interferes with a person’s ability to function, feel pleasure or take an interest in things. It is a very real illness, and symptoms often include anxiety, feelings of helplessness, disrupted sleep patterns and a bleak outlook on life. Unfortunately the lack of understanding of this condition often isolates the person suffering resulting in loss of friendships, relationships breaking down and distancing themselves from everyday social situations that others find completely normal.
If you have a loved one who suffers from this awful condition there’s a lot you should know before you judge and before you let your frustrations take over, it’s definitely easier said than done. Sometimes the person suffering doesn’t even know how to feel or how to cope with their own emotions so if they can’t explain to you how they feel it’s not a lie. Never tell someone to just ‘get over’ how the feel or to just ‘cheer up’ if it was simple like that it would not affect peoples lives the way it does.
Rather than telling someone these things, or to ‘just go out and keep busy’ or ‘do something productive’ consider taking a more emotional approach, make them feel wanted, often depression controls the mind to make the person believe they’re unwanted, a burden and some what unloved. Avoid giving advice, keep the conversation chatty, discuss what you can do to help, and try and understand exactly what they’re struggling with, you may not understand but trying will provide a lot more comfort to the sufferer.
Depression can affect anyone, there’s no specific reason why and there’s no point trying to figure it out. The idea of feeling like a burden often encourages the sufferer to push away those around them who are trying their best to love them through it all, don’t take this personally if it happens, it’s easier said than done yes, but depression is a mental condition don’t forget so the mind can get swamped with negative thoughts that doesn’t mean the person you love means what they say or do. Stick around and help them find themselves again, it’s the most amazing feeling in the world to see someone come through the dark clouds and be themselves again.
There is no shame in being on medication for depression or anxiety, at least that person is on their way to recovery. When people refer to said medication as ‘happy pills’ etc it comes across as a joke especially from those who don’t know the true extent of the illness.
The feeling of being overwhelmed is a daily emotion for someone suffering with depression, this experience is incredibly exhausting, and again it’s something so simple that people unaware of the illness take for granted and struggle to comprehend about the condition. Being alone is a common demand yet it’s not always what the person truly wants, they will want their own space often to collect their thoughts however try and be there in whatever way you can something simple like going for a walk, or a drive. Routine is something that becomes a huge element, organise to spend time with them in advance even something little it gives them something to look forward too.
LHW xo 