Clinical depression can be thought of as a downward spiral. This will make it easier for you to understand what your loved ones are going through.
Depression can start with a person feeling worse and worse due to various stressors. Also, his mood is reduced because he is already less involved in the daily activities that are important to him. Then comes self-criticism, increased stress due to missed opportunities, or increased responsibility. With depressive thinking, guilt, pessimism, and irritability may appear.
You can support a person in such a difficult situation in various ways. For this, examine the symptoms of depression, encourage the treatment of these symptoms, be aware of the possibility of suicide.
Symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, tearfulness; irritability, outbursts of anger, frustration even at trifles; loss of pleasure and interest in most or all usual activities; too much sleep or insomnia; fatigue and lack of energy; appetite changes; anxiety, a state of excitement; slow thinking, speaking, body movements; feelings of worthlessness or guilt, obsession with past failures; difficulty concentrating, thinking, making decisions, remembering things; mentioning death frequently or repeatedly, suicidal thoughts, thoughts of suicide attempt.
If a person has not yet consulted a doctor, you can influence this. Talk to him, explain what changes in his behavior you noticed and why this worries you. Tell him that depression is a serious condition and not a weakness, and offer to see a specialist.
News cannot be equated with a doctor’s prescription. Consult an expert before making a decision.
Source: Ferra
