DEPRESSION – Counseling your loved ones

 

WELL WISHER SERIES #1

DEPRESSION – Counseling your loved ones

Depression, one of the most common disorder of the modern world. It has also lead to fatalities due to suicidal tendencies and the numbers have drastically increased due to COVID lockdowns. If any of your loved one is suffering from depression he may experience

1)      *Persistent sadness and tearful;

2)      *Pessimistic behavior.

3)      *Feels worthless and guilty of unrelated event.

4)      *Prefers loneliness and spends less time with you and other near and dear ones.

5)      *Unusually anxiety, frustrated, and irritable.

6)      *Disinterested in usual activities.

7)      *Excessive or reduced appetite.

Depression is a chronic condition, which usually won’t subside with some antidepressant medication, definitely they are quite useful in the treatment but one needs constant motivation and counseling. One cannot fix an appointment daily with a psychiatrist for regular counseling.

So these counseling methods are for the well wishers of depressed person. By following these methods one can accurately guide and help the depressed one in relieving him/her from symptoms.

LET’S START

I)        LISTENING    (The most important step)

Listen him carefully and avoid asking unnecessary questions while he is telling tale of his symptoms. If the person avoids sharing his thoughts and difficulties with you, calmly convince him with your concerns towards him and also add pinch of motivation by expressing one of his achievement. Just mean to say take him to your confidence.

It is quite important step because it helps to guide you through the further counseling process.

The key components that should be withdrawn from listening

a)      Thoughts he has regarding a particular thing.

b)      Events when the symptoms elevate and relieve.

c)       Extremity of the thoughts, ideas and concerns.

 

Last but not the least listen to the consulting psychiatrist about the things to be avoided and to be done during day to day tasks by the well wishers. Ask the psychiatrist about the ways to counsel the person.

II)      VALIDATING  AND ALLEVIATING THE EMOTIONS

First, validate the emotion to a minor extent so that the person feels a bit relaxed because he thinks he is normal and it instills the confidence in him about you. Now after validating, alleviate them by talking with them and finding the possible ways to solve the problem and also show them the positive sides of the things of concern.

Remind them of the conversation they had with their psychiatrist,

Slowly guide them day by day towards the thing that they were feeling guilty about is unusual and unnecessary.

Never ever talk about their anxiety and guilt provoking thoughts unless they start to state it, always and always try to change the direction of the topic to a more positive way.

III)                ENGAGE THEM IN PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL TASKS

The time and event when their symptoms aggravate should be known to you and exact at that time divert their mind by engaging them into some physical and social activities, if you cannot find one task/activity during that time, then just go with them for a walk or with those, whose company they like and love to have.

Suggest them comedy shows, games and hanging out with friends.

Encourage them for regular meditation and yoga.

IV)      ENSURE REGULAR AND ON-TIME APPOINTMENTS

A regular and on-time appointment at the consulting psychiatrist is essential part of the treatment, So never miss them.

V)       HELP AND SUPPORT

Offer him help in his work and activities, support him at the earliest when he seeks help from you and be keen in observing for suicidal symptoms. Assure them that you are always with them and will help them in every aspect of their healing process and life.

 

 

 

 

Hope that this blog will help you all in treating your loved ones and bringing back their self completely out of this condition.