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How to Support a Loved One Through Depression
Depression, also called major depressive disorder (MDD), is a common and serious mental health disorder that negatively affects the way you feel, think, and act.
About 29% of adults are diagnosed with depression at some point during their lives, and some 18% currently live with depression, according to a 2023 national survey. Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed, and younger adults are more likely than older adults to experience the disorder.
Depression can occur at any time and at any age, but on average, it most commonly appears during one’s late teens to mid-20s.
At Sidhu Psychiatric in Palm Harbor, Florida, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Kanwaljit “Kavi” Sidhu, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, and our staff diagnose and treat depression in many of our patients, offering a safe, nonjudgmental environment and empowering care.
If you have a loved one struggling with depression, here are a number of ways you can support them through their journey, ensuring they’re not alone.
What causes depression?
Depression can be caused by a number of different factors, sometimes alone, and sometimes in concert with each other.
- Biochemistry: alterations in levels of certain brain neurotransmitters, especially serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine
- Genetics: can run in families; if one identical twin has depression, the other is 70% likely to get it at some point
- Personality: those with low self-esteem, are easily overwhelmed by stress, or are generally pessimistic are more likely to experience depression
- Environmental: risks from exposure to violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty
The prevailing opinion is that depression stems from a combination of genetics and environmental factors.
Symptoms of depression
Symptoms can vary from one person to the next and by age category, but they generally contain one or more of the following:
- Feelings of sadness, loneliness, or hopelessness
- Irritability or frustration, even over small things
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities: includes sex, hobbies, or sports
- Sleep disturbances: includes insomnia or sleeping too much
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Fixation on past failures or self-blame
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, or suicide attempts
If you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential. In the US, the Lifeline has a Spanish-language phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).
How to support a loved one through depression
It’s hard to watch a loved one struggle through depression, but being overbearing and telling them to snap out of it will only make things worse. It’s not something they can just “turn off” by willing it. Depression requires a combination of medication and psychotherapy to make lasting positive changes.
That said, there are still many things you can do to make the situation better.
Offer to listen
People who are depressed often keep their thoughts and feelings bottled up, which just acts like a pressure cooker. Having someone listen to what they have to say, without judgment, can be a beneficial outlet.
Don’t berate the person for their behavior
Being sad or self-critical is bad enough without having someone tell you to “man up.” Acknowledge that your loved one feels the way they do, and gently remind them that there are positive things in their life, too.
Suggest seeking professional help
As we’ve mentioned, depression usually requires a combination of medication and therapy, which are provided by mental health professionals. Suggest to your loved one that you seek someone out together, and offer to take them to their appointments. Reinforce that their condition isn’t a weakness but a treatable disease.
Treatment-resistant depression affects about 30% of people diagnosed with MDD, meaning that they don’t respond to any of the first-line medications for depression. Fortunately, there’s a new treatment, Spravato®, a form of the anesthetic ketamine that targets different neurotransmitters than traditional antidepressants and can help those whose condition is resistant.
If you or a loved one has MDD, or you suspect that you do, Sidhu Psychiatric can help. Call our office at 727-382-1383 to schedule a consultation, or contact us online today.