Is my loved one struggling with depression? This is perhaps one of the most important questions to ask if you have a family member who is facing intense changes. It’s hard to know if a person is facing just a few sad and down days or if there is a true mental illness present. While everyone experiences sadness from time to time, when it interferes with their life, responsibilities, or health, that’s when there’s a need to seek help. At The Ranch PA, we can provide you with that type of support and guidance to know the difference.
When Is My Loved One Struggling with Depression and When Is It Just Sadness?
It’s a very fine line between major depression and dealing with challenges in a person’s day. If you are watching them change and are worried about what’s happening, it may be time to consider how to help. First, start by looking at a few common symptoms of depression. If you spot these, it may be time to get help for your loved one.
- Feelings of ongoing hopelessness and sadness. A sense of emptiness.
- Lacking energy, even small and insignificant tasks are just too much.
- Loss of interest in things they enjoyed such as sports, hobbies, and sex
- Changes in eating habits, leading to weight gain or weight loss
- Blaming and guilt are common components of daily life
- Mentioning of death or having suicidal thoughts
- Anxiety and agitation, especially if it is misplaced
Ask yourself this, too. “Is my loved one struggling with depression, or are they going through a dark time due to a life change or complication?” You shouldn’t ignore any type of negative symptoms, especially if a person is acting out of the ordinary. Yet, knowing when to get them more advanced help can be challenging.
Encourage Your Loved One to Seek Help
If you are finding that the symptoms of depression are present, don’t wait to get your loved one help. Here are a few tips:
- Talk to them about what you see. Don’t accuse them of doing anything wrong.
- Ask them about their thought patterns. Tell them that depression is a medical condition.
- Discuss their drug and alcohol abuse, if present. That could be hiding depression or the cause of it.
- Tell them you want to help them to get help, including for mental illness or dual diagnosis treatment.
- Help them find the location to call for guidance and help.
If your loved one is suicidal or talking about death, do not wait. If they are overdosing on drugs like meth or heroin, it’s time to get them immediate help in an emergency room. At The Ranch PA, we offer treatment options for many types of mental illness and substance use disorders. We encourage you to reach out to us if you think your loved one needs drug detox support or just needs addiction therapy programs. Even if your loved one does not have a substance use disorder, they need to seek mental health care. Our team at The Ranch PA can offer the guidance and support necessary to allow your loved on to find help. Depression is an illness, and it is not something that will go away on its own. Turn to your loved one to find the help they need.
Don’t Wait to Get Help – Call Us at The Ranch PA
“Is my loved one struggling with depression? What can I do?” The first step you can take is to get your loved one the support and guidance he or she needs. Our team at The Ranch PA can provide you with information and insight to allow you to find the help you need to support your loved one’s mental health needs. Call 717.969.9126 to learn more.