How to support a family member who suffers from depression

Helping someone with depression can be a challenging and tough.

If someone in your life is suffering from depression, you may feel helpless and wonder what to do.

Here's how you can help;

1. Learn the symptoms of depression;

• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
• Insomnia or sleeping too much
• Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
• Changes in appetite — reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself for things that aren't your responsibility
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
• Frequent or recurrent mention of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

2. Encourage Treatment;

• Talk to the person about what you've noticed and why you're concerned.
• Explain that depression is a medical condition, not a personal flaw or weakness — and that it usually gets better with treatment.
• Suggest seeking help from a professional — a medical doctor or a mental health provider, such as a licensed counselor or psychologist.
• Offer to help prepare a list of questions to discuss in an initial appointment with a doctor or mental health provider.
• Express your willingness to help by setting up appointments, going along to them and attending family therapy sessions.

3. Understand Crisis Risks

People with depression are at an increased risk of crisis. If your loved one is severely depressed, prepare yourself for the possibility that at some point he or she may feel if they experience a crisis. Take all signs of crisis behavior seriously and act immediately.

• Talk to the person about your concern. Ask if he or she has been thinking about harming themselves or has a plan for how to do it. Having an actual plan indicates a higher likelihood of harm.
• Seek help. Contact the person's doctor, mental health provider or other health care professional. Let other family members or close friends know what's going on.
• Call a crisis hotline number. In the United States, you can reach the toll-free, 24-hour hot line of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to talk to a trained counselor. Use that same number and press "1" to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
• Make sure the person is in a safe environment. If possible, eliminate things that could be used to attempt suicide. For example, remove or lock up firearms, other weapons and medications.
• Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if the person is in danger. Make sure someone stays with that person at all times.

I hope these help.

source; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression/art-20045943

(Edited for content by @peaceloveandpaws)