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How To Tell If Someone Is Depressed

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How To Tell If Someone Is Depressed

When a person is depressed, one of the feelings many people experience is an overwhelming sense of loneliness that no one can understand what theyre going through. They are all alone.

A reminder from a friend or loved one that, indeed, theyre not alone and they are loved can be invaluable. It also reminds them of the reality that people in their life do love them and are there for them if they need them.

Where Can I Find Clinical Trials For Depression

Clinical trials are research studies that look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and conditions. Although individuals may benefit from being part of a clinical trial, participants should be aware that the primary purpose of a clinical trial is to gain new scientific knowledge so others may receive better help in the future.

Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health and around the country conduct many studies with patients and healthy volunteers. Talk to your health care provider about clinical trials, their benefits and risks, and whether one is right for you. For more information, visit NIMH’s clinical trials information.

Also Known As Major Depressive Disorder Depression Is A Mental Health Disorder That Negatively Affects How People Feel Behave And Think

This disorder causes intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, emptiness, and shame. People with depression may lose interest in activities and things they once enjoyed. Their performance at school or work may also decline, and they may act differently around their loved ones. Although its a mental illness, depression can manifest itself both psychologically and mentally. Many people struggle with this disorder but dont know how to tell their loved ones or reach out for help. If youre in this situation, our Banyan mental health center is sharing some tips on how to tell someone youre depressed that can help.

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Ask Them Nicely To Consider Talking To A Doctor

Ask them nicely to consider talking to a doctor because doctors are professionals. They know what the best treatment is.

They are trained to know how to take care of their patients. They can give your friend the best chance for a good outcome. If its early enough, they can even get rid of their symptoms altogether.

The individual may not be willing to listen at first. They might feel like they know whats best and be very defensive about it.

This is why you need to make them comfortable enough with you so that they will at least consider talking to a doctor.

You can say, Youre a good person and I care about you. Im really sorry that youre going through this, but would you be willing to speak to a doctor about what youre going through?

If Youre Experiencing Symptoms

Elderly Depression
  • Recognize if youre starting to slip. If you are struggling with new or worsening symptoms, dont hesitate to seek help. If you already have a therapist, reach out to them right away. If you do not have one, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP for a free, confidential referral for treatment. If youre considering harming yourself, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 .
  • Ignore incorrect attitudes. The old idea of pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps is not only outdated, but also not based in science. If you feel depressed, there is no cause for guilt, says Dr. Solomon.

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The Risk Of Suicide Is Real

What to do in a crisis situation

If you believe your loved one is at an immediate risk for suicide, do NOT leave them alone.

In the U.S., dial 911 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.

In other countries, call your countrys emergency services number or visit IASP to find a suicide prevention helpline.

It may be hard to believe that the person you know and love would ever consider something as drastic as suicide, but a depressed person may not see any other way out. Depression clouds judgment and distorts thinking, causing a normally rational person to believe that death is the only way to end the pain theyre feeling.

Since suicide is a very real danger when someone is depressed, its important to know the warning signs:

  • Talking about suicide, dying, or harming oneself a preoccupation with death
  • Expressing feelings of hopelessness or self-hate
  • Acting in dangerous or self-destructive ways
  • Getting affairs in order and saying goodbye
  • Seeking out pills, weapons, or other lethal objects
  • A sudden sense of calm after depression

If you think a friend or family member might be considering suicide, dont wait, talk to them about your concerns. Many people feel uncomfortable bringing up the topic but it is one of the best things you can do for someone who is thinking about suicide. Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a persons life, so speak up if youre concerned and seek professional help immediately!

What If My Symptoms Dont Improve

If youre not responding to treatment, you may live with treatment resistant depression. This is when your symptoms have not improved after at least 2 standard treatments. This can also be known as treatment-refractory depression.

There is currently no official criteria used to diagnose treatment resistant depression.

What treatment is available for treatment-resistant depression?There are treatment options for treatment resistant depression. Even if antidepressants have not worked already for you, your doctor may suggest a different antidepressant from a different class.

The new antidepressant you are offered will depend on the first antidepressant you were given.

Sometimes your doctor can prescribe a second type of medication to go with your antidepressant. This can sometimes help the antidepressant work better than it does by itself.

Where antidepressants have not worked, your doctor may suggest talking therapies, ECT or brain stimulation treatments. See the previous section for more information on these.

What is an implanted vagus nerve stimulator, and how is it used in treatment resistant depression?If you live with treatment resistant depression, and youve not responded to other treatments, you may be able ask for an implanted vagus nerve stimulator.

Please speak to your doctor if youre interested in this treatment and for more information. You may be able to get this treatment funded through an Individual Funding Request.

  • NHS – Your Rights by clicking here.

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Who To Tell About Depression

If you want to open up about how you feel, then you may be asking yourself, who should I tell about my depression? One major thing to keep in mind is that you dont have to tell anyone about your depression if you arent comfortable with doing so. Dont let anyone coerce or pressure you into talking about this. However, as an inpatient mental health rehab, we do recommend that you speak to someone you trust about your condition. Whether theyre your parent, friend, or family member, you should tell someone you trust about your depression.

As a result of the many stigmas about mental illness, so many people are afraid to share their struggles with their mental health. This often perpetuates isolation and harmful forms of self-medicating, like substance abuse. The first step in treating your depression is accepting it and talking about it with someone else. Sometimes we have to say these things aloud to accept that theyre real and that we need help. When you do decide to talk to someone about your depression, it should be someone you trust or a licensed therapist. You do not have to tell everyone you know, nor should you tell someone who you dont trust. If you believe youre depressed but cant talk to anyone, call us at. Were here for you.

Getting Help For Depression

How to Help Someone Who is Depressed

If you think you might be depressed, take a depression screening. Print out the results or e-mail them to yourself and then show them to a counselor or doctor.

To get help, start with your student health center or counseling service on campus. Most community colleges provide limited free mental health services and can refer you to local providers for longer-term treatment. You can also talk to your family doctor. Your local Mental Health America affiliate can refer or in some cases provide services as well. To find the nearest MHA affiliate, call 800-969-6642 or go to Find An Affiliate.

Remember, depression and other mental health conditions are nothing to be ashamed of. Depression is not a sign of weakness, and seeking help is a sign of strength. Telling someone you are struggling is the first step toward feeling better. You will need the help of a mental health professional to beat depression. Talk therapy, antidepressant medication or a combination can be very effective.

In crisis? If you or someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately. Call 1-800-273-TALK to reach a 24-hour crisis center or dial 911 for immediate assistance.

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Theyre Not Showing Up For Things They Used To Enjoy

Has your friend stopped turning up for activities they used to enjoy? Does it feel like you never see them anymore? This could be a sign theyre not feeling like their usual selves. Not wanting to spend time with the people they love and losing interest in the activities they used to enjoy can be a telltale sign of depression.

Behaviors That Reveal Someone Is Silently Depressed

Depression affects millions of people worldwide, and this number only seems to be growing. The World Health Organization puts the number of people who are depressed at around 350 million, but this number only represents the people actually diagnosed. Those who suffer silently and choose not to get help out of embarrassment, shame, or pride might make that number jump significantly.

Maybe the person suffering doesnt even know that they have a problem, which makes silent depression even more dangerous. However, some people simply dont know how to express their emotions, or dont feel comfortable doing so. This is why we all need to look out for the people in our lives, and watch for the signs and behaviors that someone is silently depressed.

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Just Have A Rest And Loosen Up

When somebody is sad, its important to not tell them to just relax because it sounds like you dont care about their problems.

But if somebody is stressed out, they really do need to relax. Relaxing is what helps people come up with solutions for their problems.

So how does one relax?

Everybody has different methods, but it usually involves doing something you enjoy.

When somebody is stressed out, they are probably thinking about all of the things that are making them feel that way.

If they stop thinking about those things for a while and just do something to have fun, then their brain will be able to think about their problems more clearly.

So, maybe, you could come up with a plan to ask them to go for a walk instead.

Im Here If You Want To Talk

13 common signs and symptoms of depression

This is more of a direct suggestion, choosing something that you know the friend or loved one is going to be interested in doing. Maybe they just want to talk . Maybe they need a nudge to get up, get changed, and go out and just do something anything. You can be that person to help them get moving.

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For That You Can Start By Saying I Havent Been Feeling Myself For Some Time And I Think I Have Depression

How to tell someone you think you’re depressed. Talking to friends and family about your depression can be a very positive experience. But if you think you may be depressed, take the assessment and share the results with your doctor. Once you have mentally prepared yourself to have a conversation with your parents about your depression, the next step is to talk to them about it.

Try easing into the topic by saying something like ive been feeling down lately. They range from lasting feelings of unhappiness and hopelessness, to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful. Seem to have trouble thinking, remembering things, or making decisions.

If youre trying to tell your best friend youre depressed, plan a casual activity together, like a walk. You can always say that you are feeling a bit down lately, but then again there might be some misunderstandings. Assessing how you are feeling.

Ideally, theyll respond with encouragement and support. I would say that the best way of telling someone you’re depressed is to say it straight out. A depressed person may not feel motivated to do their usual activities.

Could we talk about it? tell your friend if youre talking to them in confidence, then go ahead and be as direct and specific as you. In many cases, the only way to know if someone is feeling depressed is if they tell you explicitly what they are feeling. How to tell if you have depression.

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Dont Take Their Reaction Personally

So, what causes agoraphobia? Agoraphobia can be the result of either one or the combined efforts of the factors mentioned above. This condition can manifest differently in everyone, and as a person goes through therapy, theyre likely to work on additional issues that have contributed to their disorder. Because agoraphobia and most mental disorders have underlying contributing factors, our inpatient mental health rehab is a great place to learn what these factors are and develop the skills needed to manage this condition and get the most out of life.

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What Are The Different Types Of Depression

Two common forms of depression are:

  • Major depression, which includes symptoms of depression most of the time for at least 2 weeks that typically interfere with ones ability to work, sleep, study, and eat.
  • Persistent depressive disorder , which often includes less severe symptoms of depression that last much longer, typically for at least 2 years.

Other forms of depression include:

  • Perinatal depression, which occurs when a woman experiences major depression during pregnancy or after delivery .
  • Seasonal affective disorder, which comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in late fall and early winter and going away during spring and summer.
  • Depression with symptoms of psychosis, which is a severe form of depression where a person experiences psychosis symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations .

Individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder also experience depression.

What Risks And Complications Can Depression Cause

8 Signs Someone is Secretly Depressed

Having depression can cause other problems. It can affect your mental health as well as your physical health, and it may affect other areas of your life too. For example, depression may cause:

  • disturbed sleep,
  • difficulties with work and your hobbies,
  • difficulties keeping contact with friends and families, or
  • suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harming.

Some people might also drink more alcohol to try and relieve depression. However, as we said in the previous section above, this can actually make depression worse.

If you have any of these problems, speak to your GP.

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Encouraging The Person To Get Help

While you cant control someone elses recovery from depression, you can start by encouraging the depressed person to seek help. Getting a depressed person into treatment can be difficult. Depression saps energy and motivation, so even the act of making an appointment or finding a doctor can seem daunting to your loved one. Depression also involves negative ways of thinking. The depressed person may believe that the situation is hopeless and treatment pointless.

Because of these obstacles, getting your loved one to admit to the problemand helping them see that it can be solvedis an essential step in depression recovery.

If your friend or family member resists getting help:

Suggest a general check-up with a physician. Your loved one may be less anxious about seeing a family doctor than a mental health professional. A regular doctors visit is actually a great option, since the doctor can rule out medical causes of depression. If the doctor diagnoses depression, they can refer your loved one to a psychiatrist or psychologist. Sometimes, this professional opinion makes all the difference.

Offer to help the depressed person find a doctor or therapist and go with them on the first visit.Finding the right treatment provider can be difficult, and is often a trial-and-error process. For a depressed person already low on energy, it is a huge help to have assistance making calls and looking into the options.

How Can I Help Someone With Depression

Depression is a serious but treatable disorder that affects millions of people, from young to old and from all walks of life. It gets in the way of everyday life, causing tremendous pain, hurting not just those suffering from it but also impacting everyone around them.

If someone you love is depressed, you may be experiencing any number of difficult emotions, including helplessness, frustration, anger, fear, guilt, and sadness. These feelings are all normal. Its not easy dealing with a friend or family members depression. And if you neglect your own health, it can become overwhelming.

That said, your companionship and support can be crucial to your loved ones recovery. You can help them to cope with depression symptoms, overcome negative thoughts, and regain their energy, optimism, and enjoyment of life. Start by learning all you can about depression and how to best talk about it with your friend or family member. But as you reach out, dont forget to look after your own emotional healthyoull need it to provide the full support your loved one needs.

Understanding depression in a friend or family member

Depression is a serious condition. Dont underestimate the seriousness of depression. Depression drains a persons energy, optimism, and motivation. Your depressed loved one cant just snap out of it by sheer force of will.

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