How to Help Depressed Patients

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that about 14.8 million Americans experience some form of depression. About 3.3 million suffer from mild to chronic depression which can be debilitating and cause disability. A depressed patient may find it difficult to cope with everyday life but there are ways to assist the patient with her recovery.

Instructions

Understanding Depression

• 1

  Encourage the depressed person to access psychotherapy services. Clinicians often help depressed patients recognize and work through underlying issues (i.e. personal trauma, loss or guilt) which can often intensify the symptoms of depression. Help the patient set goals and evaluate her options (i.e. social supports, personal strengths or environmental factors) to increase coping skills. Psychotherapy also helps a depressed patient identify past negative thought patterns which can lead to negative outcomes like learned helplessness. Remind the patient that consistent psychotherapy can reduce future depressive episodes.

• 2

  Get the person out of the house and involved in simple activities. Depressed patients tend to isolate themselves from the outside world and often lack the desire to be around other people. Encourage the individual just to take a walk (i.e. quiet park setting ) or offer to drive the person to her favorite place. Keep it simple. In many cases, getting fresh air and sunshine can help improve the mood of depressed patients and increase overall social skills.

• 3

  Volunteer to be the patient's support system. Be a good listener. In addition to psychotherapy a depressed patient needs to know that a family or friend is available to hear her thoughts and emotions. Listening to a depressed person's deepest emotions can be difficult, but can help the person cope and manage depressive symptoms.

• 4

  Tell (gently remind) the depressed patient to maintain her psychiatric medication regimen if prescribed. Sometimes after taking medication for a short while depressed patients may decide they don't need it any longer. This can cause big problems. Withdrawal from antidepressants can cause side effects like depression, anxiety and in some cases suicidal ideations. Advise the depressed patient of these serious facts and keep her proactive and upbeat about her positive progress and responsibility in maintaining the goals of treatment.