| "You don't understand" are the words often heard | | | | …develop resentments because needs are |
| by the friends or relatives of a person suffering from | | | | not met |
| depression symptoms. And often they're right: | | | | …desire to be free from a pessimistic or sad |
| depression is a complex mental illness that cannot | | | | atmosphere in the home |
| truly be known except by those who experience it. | | | | …not have all the benefits that a relationship |
| Yet depression treatment cannot be undertaken | | | | offers, because your loved one is unable to fulfill that |
| alone, and there are ways that you, as a concerned | | | | role. |
| friend or relative, can help your loved one tackle | | | | 5 Things for You to Remember |
| depression symptoms. | | | | 1. Your feelings are normal: Depression symptoms |
| First Things First: Know About Depression Symptoms | | | | affect the sufferer, but they affect you too. |
| Depression is an illness that has many facets. It helps | | | | 2. You don't have to be alone: Depression is a |
| to understand depression symptoms and specifically | | | | common illness, and there are many others who also |
| how they affect people's relationships with others. It | | | | have a depressed person in their lives. You may wish |
| is important to keep in mind that people suffering | | | | to join a support group and connect with others who |
| from depression: | | | | understand your struggles and can give advice on |
| …have low self-esteem and lowered | | | | depression treatment. |
| self-confidence, and in turn, can devalue or lose | | | | 3. It's not your fault: It's common for family and |
| confidence in their relationships. | | | | friends of depressed people to feel guilty or wonder |
| …strain relationships by self-centered | | | | if they hold some responsibility for another person's |
| behavior, being withdrawn, confused or irritable. | | | | depression. Depression does not occur because of |
| …feel incapable of lightening the burden they | | | | anything you say or do. It is a medical condition that |
| are placing on others. | | | | needs adequate depression treatment, just as |
| …often don't realize they need depression | | | | diabetes or heart disease need to be treated. |
| treatment, much less the effect their condition has | | | | 4. Don't lose hope: Effective depression treatment |
| on their loved ones. | | | | exists! Psychotherapy and/or medication have been |
| …can become non-productive or unable to | | | | shown to be quite effective, as well as vitamins |
| function in their career, impacting on the lives of | | | | supplements for depression treatment. More than |
| others. | | | | 80% of those who seek depression treatment feel |
| …may have lowered libido, which impacts a | | | | better within several weeks. |
| marriage. | | | | 5. Take good care of yourself: To help your |
| …find it more difficult to think or concentrate, | | | | depressed loved one, you need to stay healthy too! |
| so normal functioning in a relationship is also affected. | | | | Set boundaries and limits on how much you can and |
| …may resist their love one's attempts to | | | | will do, and stick to them. It is okay to take a |
| offer depression treatment. | | | | vacation from caretaking once in a while. Schedule |
| Of course, not only the patient suffers from | | | | time for yourself and do things that bring you |
| depression symptoms. Living with a depressed person | | | | enjoyment and satisfaction. This is not neglecting |
| can lead you to: | | | | your loved-one's depression treatment, it is being |
| …blame yourself | | | | healthy and compassionate towards yourself. In this |
| …feel demoralized, overly criticized or not | | | | way you will be better able, and a better friend. |
| appreciated | | | | |