What To Do If A Loved One Seems Depressed
Depression can take on many faces depending upon the person,
their age, and their gender. Overall, the best thing to be aware
of is a significant change in activity or behavior.
Depression In Teens
Depression in teenagers can be difficult to identify, as their
mood cycles are traditionally erratic. In general, females tend
to suffer from depression more than males, but don't overlook a
young male whose behavior has changed. Again, the things to look
out for are marked changes in behavior. If the teen tends to be
social and there's been a significant reduction in their social
activities, than that might be an indication that he or she is
depressed.
Is the phone ringing a lot less? Have they become more withdrawn
from the family? Are they sleeping excessively but still seeming
to be tired a lot? It's also not unusual for them to be
especially irritable and cranky. Tearfulness is yet another
sign. Grades in school often decline as the teen becomes more
distracted and less attentive.
Drug use is also a concern for teens that are depressed--as it
is for anyone suffering from this problem--because people often
medicate their depression with alcohol and /or drugs to try to
feel better.
Depression in Adults
Adults tend to hide their depression a little better than kids.
They've learned how to put a mask on and act as if everything is
fine, even when it is not. Appetite is often a strong indicator.
The loss of appetite is most common, however there are those who
sooth themselves with food so, in that case, you would expect to
see a weight gain. Sexual appetite is another variable that is
often identified. Depression puts a damper on sexual desire.
Essentially when a person stops doing those activities that they
used to enjoy, there's a good chance that depression can be a
factor.
Depression In The Elderly
The elderly suffer from depression a lot more than is reported.
The older generation still feels a lot of shame and
embarrassment about mental illnesses. The harsh reality of the
elderly is that their friends are dying on a regular basis.
These losses bring up many different feelings, ranging from
loneliness and loss to the realization that their time is also
limited. Withdrawal is a common sign, as well as weight loss,
fatigue and irritability. It is critical to have the elderly
evaluated by a competent gerontologist (a doctor who specializes
in the older population) to rule out worrisome medical concerns.
Discussing Suicide
When a family member is discovered to be depressed, there is
often a reluctance to be direct and straight forward with them.
Often people think what if I ask the person if they feel like
they want to end their life, and I've gotten them thinking about
suicide when they hadn't previously considered it?
That will never happen. If a person is severely depressed, they
will most likely have given some thought to ending their life.
Vague, passing thoughts about suicide are normal for everyone at
one time or another. What you need to be worried about is if a
person has actually constructed a plan to end their life.
Another phenomenon to watch out for is if someone who had been
previously very depressed suddenly seems to be fine--happy
even--and starts giving their possessions away. Do not be fooled
into thinking that this person has made a spontaneous recovery.
So, if someone takes a sudden turn for the better and starts
giving things away, or if someone talks to you about having a
specific plan to end their life, you MUST take action. These are
definitely cases of it being better to err on the side of
caution. Let the person know that you are concerned about them,
and ask that they speak with a mental health professional. You
might offer to get an appointment for them and then take them to
the appointment. If they refuse treatment, it is essential that
you contact a mental health professional and seek their advice.
You can search the internet, the phone book, or call information
to get the number for your community mental health center. Most
community mental health centers have an emergency clinician on
call 24 hours a day to assist in such an emergency. Do not leave
the person alone until they've been evaluated and it has been
determined that they're able to be left without supervision.
People often feel concerned about upsetting the person by
pushing for evaluation or treatment. The most important thing
here is to prevent a suicide.
Even if the person is initially angry, once their depression
lifts they will be forever grateful that you intervened on their
behalf. Depression is a life threatening illness. Suicide is a
permanent solution to a temporary problem. Imagine this....a
person feels so miserable that they decide they can't take
feeling this badly for another minute. But the good news is that
the vast majority of people suffering from depression will
recover and continue to have normal lives.
Don't be afraid to talk about depression. Don't be afraid of
tears. There is help available for everyone. Most community
mental health centers receive state and federal funds so they
have the opportunity to provide treatment and no or low cost.
Everyone today can find some kind of treatment if they need it.
Please know that you can share this article with friends,
family, associates and anyone you think that it may help, when
in doubt, I say pass it along, our goal at Out of Darkness, is
to reach the hurting and lost souls and those that feel like
there is no help.
They are calling Arthur Buchanan's methods of recovering from
mental illness REVOLUTIONARY! (MEDICAL COLLEGE OF MICHIGAN)
'Arthur Buchanan has given us a revolutionary blue print for
recovery in these uncertain times, when Mental Illness at a all
time high in the United States of America, yet if you follow
this young mans methods, we assure you of positive results and I
QUOTE 'If these methods are followed precisely, their is no way
you can't see positive results with whatever illness you have'
Dr. Herbert Palos Detroit, Michigan'