The truth is is that when one is depressed things can only seem hopeless because when one’s mind is in such a bad place it’s impossible to believe that the future will be any different. Focus on your own well being (boundaries) so that you can provide stable support when they ask for help. Bridges to Recovery offers comprehensive residential treatment for people struggling with mental health disorders as well as process addictions. How to Help a Depressed Person Ask for Help You know that your friend or family member is depressed, but they seem so stuck in their own world that it’s hard to figure out how to reach them. Stop underestimating depression. It may seem hard to share personal feelings with parents, especially if you haven't done it in a while. There are ways to tell if seeking help for your depression is the right thing for you. Call a distress line, depression help hotline, suicide line – there are many different types of support for hopeless feelings. I've been depressed the last two weeks and have struggled with asking for help. I promise you, there’s someone in this world — an old friend or a future one, a family member, a therapist, even a volunteer on a hotline — who wants you to stay. Here are 4 Ways to Ask for Help When You’re Depressed: Ask them to listen when you need someone to talk to. Become informed. Proceed with gentle but firm methods to persuade your teen to get help. Help her seek counseling or therapy. Offer help. Sign up for our Mental Wellness Newsletter! But it can also be the very thing that gets you on the path toward a better life. Getting support from others can help keep us going. Break it down and ask someone to help you with this step. I've suffered from depression for most of my life, but I don't know how to seek help. After you get the conversation started, your parent will probably ask you to say more about what you're going through. So, the sooner you access comprehensive depression treatment, the sooner you’ll be back on an empowering path, living the life you really want. Don't be afraid to seek out support when you're feeling depressed. If you have a friend who is suffering from depression, you may be unsure about what you should do to help. © 1996-2021 Everyday Health, Inc. He talks about why it's difficult. He also advocates for changes in the mental health system and strategies we use. It’s Ok to Ask for Help. How to Help a Friend with Depression. Ask them to be patient and supportive and to remind you that there is light at the end of the tunnel when you are at low points during your recovery. Maybe you’re not ready to get into the details. It might be time to ask for help. It may be the strongest bridge to recovery," says John. Your progress may be gradual, but your hope will grow as you discover the scope and depth of support available to you. Depression can develop slowly. When you’re depressed, overwhelmed, or struggling in some way, asking for help can be terrifying. Here’s a resource you can share with someone else to help them support you. It’s a good idea to ask your depressed loved one how you can help. Even just saying something simple like that out loud goes a long way to reversing some of the isolation that actually serves to keep you stuck. Break it down and ask someone to help you with this step. To show further understanding and support, ask … This kind of immersive treatment goes well beyond the relief of symptoms to empower you with coping skills and the ability to thrive. But every time I ask if he’s okay, he insists he’s fine and I should stop worrying.” Lynn was right to be concerned. “Having someone to help keep track of medications and other treatments is just one of the important roles a family member or close friend can play," notes John. … Here are 4 Ways to Ask for Help When You’re Depressed: Asking for Help . How much time do you spend on the couch or in bed? Sometimes we don’t like to admit to ourselves, or anyone else, that we’re struggling as doing so makes us feel vulnerable and vulnerability is uncomfortable. Depression can be a scary beast. You don’t have to see it or know how to navigate that healing path. And while it may make you uncomfortable, asking for help is a necessary step toward recovery. Understand that depression is not a sign of weakness. Give people the chance to help you. The goal of the questions is to use the Socratic method to help a depressed person realize that their depressive thoughts are irrational, and to help them think more positive and more rational thoughts. But if these feelings last 2 weeks or more, or start to affect everyday life, this can be a sign of depression. There are many people who can help you cope with your depression — from doctors and mental health professionals to friends and loved ones. Kevin Hines struggles with bipolar disorder, and he found a way how to not be depressed and use his story of a suicide attempt to spread awareness of mental illness. Everyday Health is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. We can also guide you in approaching a loved one who needs treatment. You aren’t necessarily tired but the prospect of getting up is just too daunting to face. What If You Think You're Depressed? Some people feel most comfortable talking to close friends or family when they are going through a depressive episode. How can I help? Depression is NOT just a sad feeling. You can help them to cope with depression symptoms, overcome negative thoughts, and regain their energy, optimism, and enjoyment of life. If you feel like hurting yourself at any time, ask for help immediately. Track the Vax: What Needs to Be Done to Get COVID-19 Vaccines Into Arms Faster? They may be suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, severe anxiety, but they can't bring themselves to ask for help. Ask if he or she has been thinking about attempting suicide or has a plan for how to do it. In this post we offer some advice about reaching out. It will not seem strange or shameful in any way to your doctor that you are feeling depressed. Be courageous and simply say, “I need help.” Are you wondering if it’s time to ask for help? If someone in your life needs a little reminder that could go a long way, here are some messages that might inspire … And the depression isn’t your fault because of something you did or because of who you are. Ask your local faith community for help. Encourage the depressed person to talk about their feelings, and be willing to listen without judgment. Give suggestions, if and when your friend reaches out to you and asks for your advice. Then say, "I need to talk" or, "I need your help. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You don’t know how you’ll feel on that day, and making the plans with someone else will help … There are many ways that you can help her connect to therapy and other kinds of help. Depression can make you feel like you're worthless, and it's not true. Depression is an insidious, isolating disorder, which can sabotage relationships. So you ask them: Depression is not something you can tackle on your own, but the good news is that you don't have to. Contact us to learn more about our renowned Los Angeles programs and how we can help you or your loved one start the journey toward healing. Even if you have to keep asking. That’s okay. But after just the first step you will feel a massive weight lifted off your shoulders. Many churches and faith communities have groups that specialize in ministering to ailing members. Establish clear goals. This part might be surprisingly easy. Asking someone to grade the severity of the depression on a scale helps them to: break down black and white thinking; notice improvements. Does it feel like too big of a step even to pick up the phone and call for treatment help? It is a mood disorder that requires treatment. Preparing to Talk to Parents. I hope this helps your family – please know that you not alone. When you're depressed, you're not functioning at your usual 70 to 90%. A depressed client may (quite naturally) want to tell you all about their depression, but to really begin working with them you’ll need to discover where they actually want to go in positive terms. Your therapist can help you detect patterns of thought or behavior that contribute to your depression. Seek help. Someone who's depressed doesn't always realise or acknowledge that they're not feeling or behaving as they usually do. I want to get better, I just don't know where to begin. Some people are afraid to ask for mental health help. Here are some more tips for talking with others about your depression. Not only can reaching out make people feel vulnerable, Deborah Serani, PsyD, a psychologist in Smithtown, NY, says that sometimes depression itself prevents people from asking for help. There can sometimes be a stigma that it’s not ok to ask for help ever, that you need to do everything yourself, or that it’s better to suffer alone than tell someone else. We might find it difficult to express what’s going on for us and we might feel ashamed. A similar approach could work well for people like … That’s okay. Give them your calendar, or just ask them to request the next available appointment. But your support is significant. Depression can be a very lonely and isolating illness. You don’t have to. If someone seeking psychiatric help is frowned upon in your community CHANGE IT. If you know they’re struggling — do something about it. Treatment for Depression and Alcoholism . Maybe you can’t describe exactly what you’re feeling or point to why you’re feeling so low. If you set the same expectations for yourself that you had when you weren't feeling depressed (which is sometimes just getting dressed), you're going to feel anxious and overwhelmed and probably won't do the task you expected from yourself (and thus will feel defeated … I think I might be depressed." WebMD explains how they can help you and how to ask for their help and support. That way, if they decide they’re ready to seek help, you’ll be able to give them some direction about who to go and see. #1 – Can you get out of bed or off the coach? Depression can develop slowly. If a loved one tells you about suicidal thoughts, advise him or her to call or call yourself a health professional to ask for help. Want to boost your brain capacities? Understand, help, and family can help to take a list of the negative thoughts that run through head... 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