How Can I Help an Adult Child With Their Major Depression?

Dealing with depression is difficult for everyone involved. It is just as difficult for the loved ones of the person suffering with major depression because not only do their actions affect them, but they feel helpless and times and don't know what to do in order to better the situation. Major depression is not an uncommon ailment in early adult childhood. While it is difficult to know where to begin, there are some steps you can take to help.

Depression

• In early adulthood, there are many factors which may contribute to depression. There are more stressors in life, and they can't always run to someone to talk about their feelings. The causes of depression can range from abuse, trauma or other specific lifen experiences. The cause of major depression also can be biological. If you find your adult child is having trouble sleeping, is moody, is persistently sad or has lost interest in things he or she once enjoyed, he or she could be depressed.

Options

• While sometimes the person suffering with depression or major depression may initially fight off help from those around him or her, it is important to not get frustrated and cause more stress. Be available to talk to them. If they have trouble speaking with you, which is not uncommon, you may want to bring a psychiatrist into the picture. Many times it's a lot easier to open up to someone who is not involved directly. Make an appointment with a doctor and take your adult child to the visit. At this point you must be supportive, but not intrusive because major depression leaves people with feelings of worthlessness, emptiness and guilt.

  If a doctor prescribes therapy or medication, be there to help make appointments and ensure they attend as well as take their medications regularly. Encourage your child to get out and do things they enjoy, support any interests they have and try to get them to reignite their passions. If your child ever talks about or says they want to commit suicide, stay with them and talk them through it. Let them get their feelings out and don't be afraid to ask direct questions. Be sure to have a helpline on file in case of emergencies.