When Someone You Love Struggles with Depression and Anxiety

When Someone You Love Struggles with Depression and Anxiety

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and October 10th is World Mental Health Day every year. According to The World Health Organization, there are more than 350 Million people around the world who struggle with Depression alone. It has come to my attention by many of my patients individually as well as in my Health and Wellness Intensive Outpatient Program that, “Others just don’t understand”. Although family, friends, loved ones and coworkers may mean well, they often may say things or engage in behaviors that are not very helpful for those struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues.

Although we all struggle at times and moods typically fluctuate within a given spectrum, a cluster of the following symptoms which present for a couple of weeks may be a sign that someone you care about struggles with Clinical Depression or Anxiety:

• significant changes in appetite/ eating / weight or sleeping patterns
• loss of interest in pleasurable activities
• loss of interest in sex or sexual problems
• decrease in motivation / energy / grades / work productivity
• extreme tiredness
• withdrawal from others and decreased social contacts
• feelings of sadness / unhappiness or increased tearfulness
• overwhelming feelings of anxiety / fear / rapid heartbeat / shortness of breath / sweating / dry mouth/ lightheadedness / dizziness
• physical symptoms such as back pain / muscle pain and tension / chest pains / stiff neck / general aches and pains / headaches / stomach issues / constipation / diarrhea
• high blood pressure
• feelings of hopelessness / helplessness / despair
• thoughts of self harm or suicide
• trouble concentrating / slowed thinking and decision making
• decreased accomplishments
• increased anger / irritability / frustration / guilt feelings
• self-medicating with alcohol, drugs, gambling or sex

If you have concerns about someone you care about, please keep the following in mind:

Gently Point out Concerns. It is important to gently point out your concerns to them,
possibly presenting them with the aforementioned list of symptoms and ask them what
they think. You may want to lovingly point out that there is hope and help for those
struggling with depression and anxiety and that they do not have to suffer in silence.

Educate Yourself and Them. In addition to being aware of the symptoms of depression
and anxiety, it would also be helpful to educate yourself and your loved one as to
different levels of care in mental health. There is individual treatment usually on a
weekly or biweekly basis or there is intensive outpatient treatment for those who need
more than they are able to achieve individually. This level of care typically consists of
attendance 3 days per week, 3 hours per day for approximately 7 weeks. Partial
Hospitalization is even more intense, where an individual will attend 5 days per week and
return home at night. Inpatient or Residential treatment involves 24 hour care for a
period of time.

Know Where To Turn. It would be extremely helpful to educate yourself about centers
where your loved one can receive effective help in a safe, comfortable setting. Check out
their websites. Look at patient testimonials. Those centers and facilities should be able
to provide information regarding improvement and success rates. Share these with your
loved one.

Encourage. We often tell patients that action begets motivation; that sometimes we need
to lean in, act opposite, get moving and acquire a sense of accomplishment and mastery.
However, many patients state that others with good intentions force them or get angry
when they will not comply with suggestions or recommendations. It is important to
realize that although it is important to gently encourage these things, it is not as easy as
you may think. When someone is struggling with Clinical Depression or Anxiety, it can
actually feel as though they are weighed down by an elephant. A simple task to you may
be extremely difficult to them. Gently support and encourage activity and mastery while
simultaneously being realistic about potential limitations. Avoid telling them what they
“Should” be doing. Set realistic expectations for yourself as well as your loved one.
Notice their strengths. Point out when something has gone well.

Communicate. We all often ignore the “elephant in the room”. It is important not only
to openly communicate and express your needs but also encourage the same. Don’t walk
on eggshells. Let your loved one know what you are thinking, feeling and needing. At
the same time, keep in mind that although they need to know these things, they may not
be able to effectively meet your needs. Be open to hearing and asking about their
thoughts, feelings and needs as well.

Don’t Blame. It is important as you become educated about depression and anxiety that
you don’t blame yourself for things that you could have done differently. Don’t feel
guilty. Likewise, don’t blame your loved one or impose guilt on them. Give them the
sense that we are all in this together and that through small but significant steps, one at a
time, improvements in quality of life definitely will occur.

Reach Out. Many who struggle with Clinical Depression and Anxiety withdraw and do
not reach out. Reach out to them and don’t give up if they don’t respond right away or if
you are the one doing most of the initiating. Include them in events and plans even if
they decline. Remember, it is very difficult due to very low energy, interest and
motivation levels for them to initiate many things on a consistent basis. As they do
receive effective help at the appropriate level of care and at effective treatment centers, it
is OK to hold them progressively more responsible.

Don’t Tell Them They Have No Reason. Because it is difficult to understand
depression and anxiety, many who suffer with such disorders are often told that they have
the world by the tail; they have everything going for them; there is no need for them to be
depressed or anxious. Please remember that Clinical Depression and Anxiety are
biochemical imbalances. Although those imbalances can be triggered by life stressors
and poor coping skills to deal with those life stressors, those imbalances are inherent and
genetically predisposed.

Understand Irritability. Many will feel very irritable and frustrated. As such, reactions
and interactions may include them being short, rude or hurtful. Please understand that
they do not have tolerance that most others have during imbalanced periods. Do tell them
how you feel and what you need, but know that they do not necessarily intend to hurt
you.

In conclusion, know the signs that someone you care about is struggling with Clinical
Depression or Anxiety. Reach out and support them. Educate yourself as well as your
loved one as to where to get effective help and at the appropriate level of care.

John A. Glovan, Psy.D.
Director, Health and Wellness Program
Co-Founder, The Behavioral Wellness Group
8224 Mentor Ave #208 Mentor OH 44060
P: 440 392 2222 #302 F: 440 565 2349
jglovan@behavioralwellnessgroup.com
www.behavioralwellnessgroup.com