Methods to cope when a cherished one is depressed, suicidal, or manic – . Well being Weblog

If you're not sure how to deal with a loved one being depressed, suicidal, or manic, it may be time to learn.

The number of people reporting symptoms of depression increased at the start of the pandemic. A recent study found that American depression tripled last spring. The greater burden fell on people with fewer resources, socially and economically, and a greater burden from stressful situations such as job loss. Ongoing surveys show that 25% of respondents still say they feel depressed every day.

This kind of fighting is heartbreaking. The following suggestions can help you both.

Ways to care for a loved one in need

• Encourage loved ones to seek treatment and stick with it. Ask if you can help set up an in-person or telemedical appointment with a therapist. Gently remind your loved one to take medication or keep therapy appointments.
• Don't ignore comments about suicide. If you think your loved one is committing suicide, call the person's doctor or therapist. Psychiatrists cannot share patient information without permission, but it is not a violation of confidentiality for the doctor to listen to you. In an emergency, take your loved one to a local emergency room or call a local or national crisis hotline for advice. You can also try a text hotline for suicide prevention. For example, you can call the National Alliance on Mental Illness hotline by sending "NAMI" to 741741.
• Offer emotional support. Your patience and love can make a world of difference. Ask questions and listen carefully to the answers. Try not to brush off or judge the other person's feelings, but offer hope. Suggest activities that you can do together and remember that it takes time to get better. Don't worry if you don't know what to say – it takes a lot of training (like the one therapists get) to counsel people in emotional distress.
• Realize that depression can manifest itself as irritability or anger. This is often directed at the family and other loved ones. Remind yourself that an illness will cause your loved one to act differently. Try not to blame the person who is struggling – after all, you wouldn't blame the person if a physical illness caused the person to change.
• When a loved one has bipolar disorder, Try to prevent reckless acts during manic episodes. It is common for a person to make bad decisions when they are manic. Hence, it is a good idea to prevent this problem by restricting access to cars, credit cards, and bank accounts. Look out for signs that a manic episode is emerging. A disruption in sleep patterns can trigger an episode. Therefore, support your loved ones in adhering to a regular sleep schedule. Consistent patterns for other activities such as eating, exercising, and socializing can also help.

take good care of yourself

Finally, remember to take care of your own wellbeing. Think about therapy or join a support group. This is a critical step in reducing your risk for depression as caregivers have high rates of depression and anxiety. Other forms of self-care can also be very helpful.

Numerous mental health organizations support such groups and can also provide you with information about the disease, the latest treatments, and coping tips. With encouragement, knowledge, and support, you will feel stronger and more empowered to help your loved one through this difficult disease.