5 Ways To Know If Your Loved One Is Suffering From Depression

Many people experience low moods where they feel sad and/or helpless, stressed or vulnerable for periods of time, as they struggle to deal with challenging life experiences.

Family situations, work pressures, financial worries and grief over the loss of someone close to them can all contribute to these feelings, which are a normal response for a short period of time.

However, when these low moods start to last for more than fleeting moments, it could be a sign of depression.

Here are 5 indicators that your loved one may be caught in the grips of depression:

1. They are finding less enjoyment in activities that would’ve previously been interesting to them—people with depression tend to lose interest in physical or social activities, often isolating and avoiding other people.
2. They feel constantly overwhelmed, powerless, and out of energy, sometimes even finding it difficult to complete simple tasks like get out of bed in the morning.
3. They are more pessimistic, agitated or grouchy, often berating and finding fault with themselves or others.
4. They have difficulty concentrating, and their downwards mood swings have become more extreme and frequent.
5. They have shown signs of self harm or talked about suicide.

If any of these signs describes your loved one, they may have depression.

People suffering with depression often have difficulty recognizing they need help, or reaching out for the help they need.

With the right information and care, however, depression is treatable—the light at the end of the tunnel will shine brighter.

Managing depression can be challenging, exhausting and risky when attempting it alone. For this reason professional support and treatment is strongly recommended.

Depression is most effectively treated in a therapeutic environment supported by health professionals who specialize in treating mood disorders such as depression.

Recovery from depression is likely to be more successful when underlying causes and environmental factors are addressed at the same time as the presenting symptoms and problems are treated.

Current research tells us that people embrace recovery from depression more effectively when family members also have the opportunity to engage in educational and support programs designed to meet their needs.

Seeking professional help is the best chance to address the issues your loved one is facing in dealing with depression, and to find a new way of living without these low moods or problematic ways of thinking, feeling and behaving.

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South Pacific Private is Australia’s leading mental health and addiction treatment facility offering inpatient and day programs to treat anxiety disorders, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, behavioural addictions, alcohol addiction and substance abuse. Treatment at South Pacific Private offers the best possibility of recovery through its multidisciplinary, tailored programs which are designed to meet the individual needs of clients. www.southpacificprivate.com.au

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