How to Help Your Mom With Depression

Major depressive disorder affects nearly 15 million adults in the United States, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Moreover, the median age at onset is 32.5, and the disorder is more prevalent in women than in men. If your mother is depressed, there are several things you can do to help.

Things You'll Need

• Journal

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Instructions

• 1

  Encourage your mother to seek professional help. The first thing to understand is that depression is a mental disorder that can be treated. According to the American Psychological Association, it is critical for people who suspect that a family member is suffering from depression to encourage them to seek care from a licensed mental health professional. This is because untreated depression can significantly worsen over time.

• 2

  Monitor your mother's depression. Changes in symptoms can indicate a worsening of depression, reports the Mayo Clinic. Thus, you can help your mother by observing and keeping track of her symptoms, and encouraging her to seek extra help when needed. By keeping a journal of this information, you can begin to learn what circumstances trigger more severe episodes of depression and what activities are most helpful when depression worsens.

• 3

  Be present. Do not isolate yourself from your mother. Depression often makes people feel worthless. Reminding your mother of the qualities she possesses and how much she means to you can be beneficial. Similarly, it is okay to ask your mother is she is having suicidal thoughts. According to Dr. Gail Saltz, one of the biggest myths about depression is that you should never ask someone if they are contemplating suicide. Dr. Saltz notes that suicide is often a cry for help and that asking about suicide can open up a path to treatment.

• 4

  Keep your home a stress free environment. According to the Mayo Clinic, stress can lead to more severe episodes of depression. Being a mother is a stressful job. You can help relieve some of this stress by picking up extra chores around the house, cleaning up after yourself, and making sure your mother gets adequate sleep. If you are an adult who has your own home, help your mother in keeping her home organized and clean. This will give you both time to spend together.