Hints on dealing with someone you know or suspect is depressed. When in a bout of depression, a person usually makes logical and reasonable excuses for staying home and not being social. They may often not answer the door or the phone. Their personal hygiene, diet and housework may suffer obviously. They may close the curtains and turn off the lights. If you believe they are depressed and home, these are some suggestions on helping. 1) If you are family, just go over and take care of the lawn and outdoor chores and leave. Engage them in a very brief conversation without prying or insisting on coming in just to know they are alive. 2) Volunteer to pick up and deliver their medicine and bring them a hot meal when you deliver it or anything else. 3) Being them a hot balanced meal. 4) Volunteer to go on a walk with them wherever they want to and however long they want. Make sure you engage only in active listening and do not assume the role of psychologist or counselor. 5) Volunteer to clean only their kitchen and put some healthy heat-and-eat food in the fridge while you are there. 6) Volunteer to walk their dog and even take it to the vet and groomer. 7) Volunteer to help them with their bills. I would limit this to helping them go through their mail and helping them organize the ones to be paid. I would not get further involved in their finances. You do want to discover if they have an eviction notice, there car is about to be repossessed, they have a court date, or their utilities are about to be turned off and make sure those few things are attended to. 8) Carefully encourage them to step up their personal hygiene. You might help them sort and wash clothes and put fresh sheets on the bed. 9) Try to determine if they are taking their medicine properly. If not, and they will let you, read the bottles and show up and give them the meds yourself. You might get them a weeks worth of daily pill trays and load them yourself. 10) Ask them if they have an appointment with their counselor or health care provider indicated on any depression medication. If not, persuade them gently to get one and take them if you can. I dont suggest going into the session with them, but hand the receptionist a note to give to the counselor as to the living conditions of the person and your involvement. Most of all dont push and pester them or tell them to cheer up or snap out of it. If you determine they are suicidal, get help for them immediately and dont leave until that help is engaged. If you feel it is an emergency situation, call 911. ~ John Donaldson, August 14, 2014
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 02:47:54 +0000
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