How to Do an Intervention for Depression

Depression is a condition that may leave the sufferer despondent, unable to participate in activities he used to love and lacking the motivation to seek the treatment he desperately needs. It is very difficult for families and friends to watch their loved one in so much pain, which may lead them to plan a depression intervention. Such an intervention can give someone the push he needs to pursue treatment and improve his life.

Things You'll Need

• Family and close friends of the depressed person
• Environment that is comfortable for the depressed person
• List of local therapists who specialize in depression

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Instructions

Depression Intervention

• 1

  Determine whether an intervention is appropriate. Unless someone is suffering from a serious case of chronic depression, an intervention is unnecessary and a violation of that person's trust and privacy. To determine whether an intervention is necessary, a concerned friend or relative should look for these signs: engaging in risky or self-destructive behavior, denial or masking of one's true feelings, unusually prolonged periods of despondence and/or anxiety, and, most importantly, expressing thoughts of suicide. If the person in question exhibits one or a combination of these symptoms, an intervention may be necessary to her get the help she requires.

• 2

  Gather friends and family together in a place where the subject of the intervention will feel comfortable and safe. This person should be assured by everyone there that their primary concern and motivation is his well-being. In order him to realize that he needs help, it may be useful for him to be told how his condition has affected those around him; a depressed person has often not considered how his behavior and/or mental state has affected his loved ones.

• 3

  Make options readily available for the subject of the intervention to pursue treatment; for example, the person should be provided with a list of therapists who specialize in depression or a list of depression treatment centers and friends and family should offer help in making an appointment or setting up a treatment stay.

• 4

  Maintain a positive, calm approach to however the subject reacts to the intervention. Getting excited, fighting or yelling can escalate tensions and take away from the goal of the intervention---to help a depressed loved one see that she needs help. If the subject rejects the advice and support being offered or is defensive, friends and family should be calm and measured in their response and continue to be clear in both the fact that they believe the person is in serious need of treatment, but also that they love her unconditionally.