Coping with Depressed Loved Ones

I am someone who copes with depression on a regular basis. Over the years I have suffered through one bout of depression after another. The symptoms for me vary, but for the most part, I become anti-social, and upset.
I used to vent to my loved ones and tell people how I felt, but I stopped this because I found that they grew tired of hearing about it. They would tell me to "snap out of it." They would say that I bring my sadness upon myself, they would make jokes about how I am never happy, or they would just avoid me altogether.

When my loved ones treated me like this, it always made me feel even worse. I felt so...alone! I felt like no one cared enough about me to try to make me feel better or even allow me to vent. Sometimes, I would go through a hard time and not one person would call me and check on me. When I made this known how much that hurt me, they would tell me that I should have called them. The thing that people need to realize, is that someone who is depressed will become a hermit, and they will put up walls, but still want someone to break through those walls and show that they care. My loved ones never put forth that effort.

If that weren't bad enough, they would avoid me. I would call them and they would ignore my calls because they just didn't feel like hearing me cry. This is enough to make a depressed individual not even want to live anymore. Could you just imagine how it feels to realize that nobody cares? I hated how my friends would tell me to call them if I needed anything, but they really didn't mean it. This is why I decided to write this article.

Please realize that depression is a sickness. Someone who is depressed cannot help the way they feel. They don't want to burden others with their negativity, this is why they isolate themselves. This does not mean that they don't want to know that you are thinking about them. Put yourself in your shoes. Imagine yourself feeling down and having Nobody to turn to. It is the worst feeling in the world. If you care about this person, make an effort to help them feel better!

Check on them often. Don't let a day go by without calling them. If they don't answer their phone, pay them a visit. Listen to them and show concern for their well-being. Don't make light of it or totally ignore the situation. Don't say things like "It could be worse." or "Get over it!" When someone is depressed. They feel like it cannot get any worse, so treat them that way and let them vent. Even if you have heard their same story a million times, if you care for them, you will allow them to tell it another time.

Try to make them feel better. Build their self-esteem. Tell them how beautiful they are and how much you mean to them. Bring them a small gift or do something to make their life a little easier. make sure they are eating well and not abusing drugs or alcohol. When they snap out of their depression, they will remember that you were there for them every step of the way and it will give them a reason to want to go on with life.

Remember...If someone talks about death or suicide, ALWAYS take it seriously! Get them help immediately.