After a lot of research online, I've come across a great article directed at Supporters or Carers of those suffering from depression. Let me be absolutely clear - I did not write the following article and I am nothing like clever enough with blogging to have worked out how to embed the article!
The link is at the bottom for those wishing to view the article on the netdoctor website and comment there. There are also links to other related articles if you would like to read more.
I hope it is of help to you. I think the most important point for me was the reminder to look after myself first. It's really easy to fill your time with everything else in life rather than make time for yourself. I have certainly forgotten that in recent weeks and, in hindsight, I think it's beginning to show in my mood. Unfortunately I can't quite manage to jet off to Paris for the weekend, nor can I squeeze in a relaxing spa day, but I can certainly get out the house for a coffee/walk in the drizzle/jump in the bath with my headphones in!
Take care of yourselves folks.
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"Depression can touch all
of us
Depression is
a surprisingly common disorder. Something like one in every five adults will
suffer from it during their lifetime. Two million new cases are diagnosed every
year in the UK.
The
condition affects all age groups, though women are twice as likely to experience
it as men.
There
is also evidence that depression has become more common in recent years largely
due to the increasing levels of stress that we are all confronted with on a
daily basis.
Many
factors contribute to the onset of true clinical depression. But whatever the
cause, it all boils down to this: at some stage and to some extent, you,
personally, are probably going to need to care for someone close to you with
depression, even if you are lucky enough never to suffer from it yourself.
Caring
is a vital role
It is far from easy to care for a depressed person. The results and rewards in
the long term are usually wonderful, but in the initial stages it is often an
uphill and thankless task.
Your
role as a carer requires immense patience and perseverance, but ultimately it
could prove essential to a person's recovery and could even save someone's
life.
However
sympathetic and up-to-date the doctors and nurses may be, they simply cannot be
there 24 hours a day to observe every small alteration in someone's behaviour
or mood. But this is where you, as the carer, can help.
Barriers
Depression is different from most medical conditions in that sufferers with
depression rarely seek or welcome support.
Typical
of the disorder is a conviction of guilt and worthlessness, poor self-esteem and
apathy.
Together
with emotional numbness, self-imposed isolation and pervasive gloominess, the
depressed person's state of mind is very hard to get through to; you may find
it hard to get your offers of help and support accepted.
Moreover,
depression, regrettably, remains stigmatised by society.
It
seems perfectly acceptable to be off work and incapacitated by a broken leg,
but not with depression.
But
if the carer has a good understanding of the symptoms of classical depression
and knows how best to deal with them when nobody else wants to know, many of
the barriers which depression erects in the face of assistance can be overcome.
Recognising
depression
Depression comes in different forms.
Sometimes
it is a reaction to some sudden and unexpected life event (acute depression),
but it can also come on gradually for no obvious reason.
In
both types certain symptoms are evident. Low, despairing moods and tearfulness
are common.
There
is a general loss of interest in work, hobbies and pastimes. Emotions are
blunted and life doesn't seem worth living. Their concentration may be poor and
their memory unreliable. Anxiety and restlessness are common.
In
severe cases there may be delusions, hallucinations and suicidal
thoughts or impulses.
Physically,
waking up in the night or early in the morning is typical.
There
may be a loss of appetite and weight, constant tiredness, hypochondriasis and
reduced libido.
In bipolar
depression, otherwise known as manic depression, the depressive
symptoms alternate with mania – where high moods, excitement and elation give
sufferers excess energy, rapid speech, less need for sleep and wild, racing
thoughts and impulses.
In postnatal
depression, which affects up to 15 per cent of women up to two years
after childbirth, strong feelings of isolation, inadequacy, exhaustion and
alienation from their baby are common.
What
not to say
Well-meant comments like 'you can't be sad, you've everything to live for' and
crass ones such as 'pull yourself together' and 'snap out of it' are totally
unhelpful.
A
depressed person does not have the ability to 'snap out of it'.
Nobody chooses to be depressed or gains anything from the symptoms, and if they
only could just 'snap out of it' they certainly would. Sensitivity and patience
are paramount.
Offering
support
Start by talking to the depressed person about their problems and feelings.
Approach it sympathetically and listen carefully even if what they tell you is
patently not true or painfully misguided.
Try
not to offer bland, groundless reassurance or spur-of-the-moment advice, and
encourage them to talk to their GP.
Accept the way they see the world at present – you won't be able to change
their mood through logical argument, much as you may want to.
Reassure
them however that medical
treatment is very effective and that there really is light at
the end of the tunnel. Once you've talked, keep in regular touch, be available
and see if there is any practical help you can provide right now.
Accompany
them to the doctor's appointment if it helps, but don't be tempted to take over
completely – a person with depression is going to need to make decisions for
themselves again as soon as possible.
Monitoring
progress
Remember that it is going to take just as long for the patient to get well
again as it may have taken to become gradually depressed. So keep an eye on
them frequently and assess progress.
If you're worried they've taken a turn for the worse, call their doctor.
You
may also be in a good position to make further appointments, collect and
deliver prescriptions, dish out the correct number of tablets, observe any
side-effects and reinforce any on-going psychotherapy.
While
medical treatment is best left to the doctors, there is no reason why a carer
cannot introduce the patient to complementary therapies if appropriate.
St John's wort is
one of the best researched herbal remedies, with some reasonable evidence
supporting its use in depression. Yet current NICE guidelines do not recommend
its use because of these on-going concerns about appropriate doses, duration of
effect, variation in preparations and potential for serious drug interactions.
Pet
therapy, reflexology and aromatherapy for example are all great ways to relax,
as well as being gentle and safe.
Threats
of self-harm or suicide
Some 3000 suicides a year occur in England and Wales as a result of depression,
so never take suicidal gestures or thoughts lightly.
Many
attempts at deliberate
self-harm are simply a cry for help but they often signify
serious depression and need to be referred for urgent professional help.
If
the person concerned suggests that they have ever contemplated 'ending it', or
spoken of how they might do it, you cannot take on this responsibility alone.
You need to obtain immediate help.
Emergency
and crisis
Life can be full of unexpected hard knocks for everyone; for a depressed
person, it doesn't always take much to push them right over the edge.
In
an emergency situation, call their GP, the Samaritans (08457
90 90 90) or take them to the nearest casualty department.
Sometimes
a psychiatric nurse or doctor can even visit them at home, especially if they
are already receiving treatment from a hospital team.
Some
hospitals have Crisis Management Centres on constant standby just for these
sorts of situations.
Your
needs
Caring
for someone with depression can be rewarding but it is also arduous and taxing.
A devoted carer can easily get sucked into the situation, to the extent that
their own health and welfare begins to suffer.
So,
step back and delegate some of the support to others. If you don't look after
yourself you'll soon become unable to look after your 'patient', so getting
exhausted helps nobody.
Ensure
adequate sleep, rest and exercise and refer to professionals whenever and
wherever appropriate.
Other
sources of help
There are many sources of help and support for depressed people and those who
care for them, with some of the most notable being the Samaritans,
MIND
and Cruse
Bereavement Care.
Carers,
in combination with these charities, doctors and nurses, can combine to make an
essential contribution to helping a depressed person overcome their disorder
and feel well again."
Read the whole article here
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