How to spot signs of depression and help your loved ones

From social media to international news channels, everyone is talking about mental health, depression, and self-compassion these days. A person’s mental health is just as important as their physical health. It may be easy to identify when a person is not physically well, but it is much harder to identify when someone is going through an emotional patch, even if it’s someone very close to you. Mental health is an absolutely serious and necessary topic that needs to be discussed openly. However, the fact that we need an unfortunate event like this to prioritize it is really upsetting. Here is how you can spot signs of depression and help your loved ones.

How to spot signs of depression?

All of us would have dealt with depression at least once in our lives. Nobody is shielded from depression. Whether it’s losing someone you love, failing in academics, a bad relationship, loss in business, unsatisfying job, money problem, family problem, or even if it’s just low self-esteem, if it is affecting you, you need to deal with it as soon as possible.

You never knew what someone is going through. Most people suffering from depression don’t talk about it and prefer to suffer silently. Here are a few symptoms of depression.

1. They avoid social interactions:

A person suffering from depression will try to avoid all kinds of social interaction. They don’t want to meet friends, family members, hang out, talk to anyone, and withdraw from all social media platforms. Basically, they will try to distance themselves from everybody.

2. Sleeplessness:

If you know someone who would earlier sleep like a baby and now is having sleepless nights, something is definitely wrong. You can also note that they would have become easily irritable about the smallest of things.

3. Changes in appetite:

Change in appetite can work both ways on someone who is fighting depression. Either they will eat too much or lose all interest in food.

4. Lack of interest in everything:

They wouldn’t find anything interesting. They would even lose interest in doing things that they were happy doing before.

5. Feeling worthless:

This is one of the major signs of depression. If your friend or someone you know talks about being worthless or if you find that they have a strong feeling of hopelessness and helplessness, please take it as a warning sign that something is wrong and they need help.

How to help your loved ones to fight depression?

Even when you are exhibiting the signs of depression, and are going through these tough times fighting it, there is a ray of hope- You don’t have to do it alone. Believe us, there is always someone out there who loves you, what to help you, and wants to bring you out of that dark place. A friend, family member, co-worker, online friend, or even some random person you meet can lend you a helping hand. All you need to do is to reach out to them and allow them to help you. Here are a few things you can do to help them.

1. Listen to them:

Listen to their issues and be patient with them. Give them all the support they need. Even if its 2 am and they call you, be a friend and be there for them.

2. Be positive:

Always be positive around them. Never let any negative emotions or negative thoughts drive them and never let them think that they are a burden. Try to encourage a positive attitude.

3. Help with daily chores:

Helping your loved ones with little tasks like cooking, washing or cleaning can ease the feeling of despair. Helping them with daily chores lets them know that there is someone to help them.

4. Offer distractions:

Try to offer some positive distractions and steer them off from any negative or depressing thoughts. Take up some activities that they like and keep them active.

5. Encourage them to meet a counselor:

Try to positively encourage them to meet a counsellor or a therapist. Let them know that there is nothing wrong with meeting a therapist.

Read more: How to practice self-compassion in these difficult days?

If your loved ones or someone you know is going through tough times, let them know that you are there for them and help them. Remind them that they are not alone and be there for them when they need you.

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How to spot signs of depression and help your loved ones