How to convince somebody to get help for depression

Convincing somebody to get for help for depression is a difficult task.There are millions of people all over the world who are depressed but who are not ready to see a doctor or a therapy for help due to the mentality they have about depression, they think it is a shame to be depressed, forgetting that it is an illness that we experience at different stages of our lives.

Depression is a condition that affects the young, old, rich and the poor, it is no respecter of  person, when it comes into your live, you must find a way out of getting rid of it.

Nobody can live in isolation, we all need each other to overcome our problems or challenges of live, the role of friends, relations, wives, husbands, therapist, psychologists, doctors in helping one to overcome depression cannot be overemphasized.

If you have somebody you want to convince to get help for depression, the first thing you have to do is to demonstrate love to the person, tell the person you care about him and that depression is a treatable medical condition. Always make yourself available each time he needs your attention, love is giving.

Let him understand that you feel what he feels, that depression if not taken care could lead to suicide. Seeing is believing, give him examples of people who have committed suicide as result of depression, those who have overcome depression with the help of therapists or doctors. You can use the stories of celebrities or books written by people who overcame depression.

There must be people in your family which the depressed person respect, persuade them to talk to him about his depression so that he can seek medical help. 

Two head are better than one, get a therapist involved, give his phone number to the therapist. This will give the therapist the opportunity to build a relationship with him and find a way of helping  solve his problem.

Depression In Children

A 12-years old boy was held on suspicion of killing his parents before gravely wounded his younger siblings in a violent rampage that shocked residents of Burlington near the Kansas border. Mr Charles Long, 50, and Mrs Marilyn Long, 51, were found dead in their Burlington home after the boy called 911 to report that three people has been shot by him.

This is the shocker: The family had seven children, from ages 5 to the mid-20s and all were well known at the local church.

Their Pastor, Ron Lee said:  The boy now being held in the killing helped in the local church by greeting parishioners before services and working with video equipment:

The question is this, what could make a 12 years old boy kill his parents and his brother? I think the best answer to this question is depression.

Childhold depression is an ailment that interfere with a child or adolescent's ability to function. Studies have showed that four out of every 100 teenagers experience depression every year.

Symptoms of children depression

·         Having feelings of guilt, worthlessness, failure.

·         Loss of interest in activities which once were fun.

·         Conflicts with parents and siblings than usual.

·         Physically or verbally aggressive at everyone.

·         Abandoning favorite hobbies or sports or other routine, daily activities.

·         Misuse of drugs and alcohol.

·         Frequent absences from school.

·         Always complains of being bored .

·         Becomes troublesome in class (both teens and children).

·         Stops going out with friends, shows no interest in group outings.

·         Changes in eating and sleeping habits.

·         Having thought of suicide.

What you can do

If you a parent and your child is experiencing some of above symptoms, you need to seek help from a professional therapist or psychologist. The therapist will daignose and profer solutions to the problem.  

I believe that with proper diagnosis and treatment, the child will be able to overcome depression.

How To Overcome Clinical Depression

Clinical depression is one of the types of depression that affect a lot of people, but the good news about clinical depression is that it is not difficult to overcome, psychiatrists  see clinical depression  as the type of depression that dwells on the gloomy end of the spectrum. They refer to it as “unipolar depression”.

 Symptoms Of Clinical Depression

1) Loss of interest in all your normal activities.

2) Sleeping much more or much less than normal.

3) A dramatic change in your appetite, leading to noticeable weight gain or weight loss.

4) Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness that things won’t improve.

5) Abnormal tiredness throughout the day.

6) Having trouble concentrating or thinking.

7) Thinking about death or suicide more than usual etc.

What to do to overcome clinical depression:

·         Consult your doctor: Clinical depression is a serious medical condition that is very  complicated to treat. You need the help of a therapist who will provide psychological treatments.

·         Join an online forum support group offering advice on depression treatment.

·         If you are christian talk to your pastor about it.

Where to get help:

If you don’t know where to go for help, Listed below are the types of people or places that will provide diagnostic and treatment services:

·         Family doctors.

·         Mental health specialist such as psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health councellors.

·         Health maintenance organisations.

·         Community mental health centers.

·         Hospital psychiatry departments and outpatient clinics.

·         University or medical school-affiliated programs.

·         State hospital out-patient clinics.

Women And Depression-How Postpatum Depression Can Be Prevented

Medical experts believe that some women develop depression during pregnancy and empirical evidence has shown that between 8 and 12 percent of women are unable to adjust to parenthood and become so depressed that they seek medical help.

For most women, the birth of their baby is one of the most strenuous but also happiest days in their lives. So it is very difficult to understand why almost three-quarters of all women feel down shortly after giving birth.

Postpartum depression is one of the types of depression facing women. Postpartum depression is thought to be related to biochemical changes in the brain.If a woman feels that she is becoming depressed, she should seek help. Some of the signs of depression are sadness,inability to see, poor appetite,poor concentration, a feeling of being unable to cope, fatique, irritability and anxiety.

Some doctors ask women the following questions to find out if the woman is likely to develop postpartum depression or become depressed :
•Have a family history or a personal history of a depressive episode.

•Lacked experience in parenting a child or an adolescent (for example having no siblings to care for)

•Had an unstable or abusive family during childhood and adolescence

•Lacked positive support from husband or partner during and after pregnancy.

•Have a personal or a family history of depression

•Have had depression diagnosed during the pregnancy

•Are cut off from a near relative or friend who could care for the baby from time to time.

•possibly had negative experiences in their contact with health professionals during the pregnancy ( for example lacking information and communication.

Women are more likely to develop postpartum depression if they are socially and emotionally isolated or have had recent streessful life events. A woman suffering from depression needs help from a sympathetic doctor who is prepared to listen to her and give support and encouragement.
In more severe cases, psychiatric consultation may be needed.

The Relationship Between Depression And Alcohol

It quite unfortunate that many people around the world do not know that there is a relationship between alcohol and depression.Part of the problem with alcohol, as it relates to depression, is that it is difficult for some to have just one drink. Another concern is that depressed people often times want to drink their troubles away only to find the next day that their troubles not only still exist but have taken a turn for the worse. Mostly men try to drink a lot in order to avoid depression but they do not know that alcohol makes worse and provokes symptoms of this nervous disease.

So what is the mechanism that makes alcohol so unpredictable

According to some experts, alcohol might biologically play a significant role on triggering depression. This is a conclusion they have arrived after empirical evidence suggests that alcohol affects the human brain's chemistry. Sometimes alcohol can have a direct effect on the brain's serotonin levels. Serotonin happens to be the neurotransmitter linked directly to depression.

Alcohol may have physical effects, which may deepen the depression. Alcohol inhibits the the part of the brain that controls the motor skills of the body. The same thing happens to the brain's abilities regarding coordination and balance.

Alcohol clouds the rational thinking. This can cause frustration as well as low mood since the person struggles to cope with these effects. People sometimes feel sleepy and ultimately pass out due to the depressive effects of the alcohol on their systems.

Depression experts also note that alcohol consumers who're depressed often decide to go for an 'alcoholic solution' when they consider this as a self-medicating option. These people actually look for the superficial pleasing feelings that come through intoxication. This is like pouring fuel to put out a fire.

Once these feelings pass out, alcohol may suppress the drinkers' mood. They start feeling tired, irritable as well as disoriented. This might feed into the almost unbreakable depression cycle, as the drinkers might also start feeling guilty of their uncurbed drinking motive.

Men and Depression - How to Help a Depressed Man and Keep Your Relationship Strong

Men do get depressed but they tend to hide it well. Men tend to deal with depression differently than women and may show different signs that they are depressed. Depression is often a hidden problem with men, since many men tend to suffer in silence, rather than talking about their feelingsAnd that can lead to relationship problems.

Historically, depression has been thought of as mostly a problem for women, but now we know that depression is a problem for men, too. Depression in men may go undetected. In fact, men may not realize they are depressed, although they may recognize they are feeling stressed. And their health care providers often miss the telltale signs.

Depression is a normal part of life. Yet, if it goes unresolved, it can have a disastrous affect on personal functioning, relationships and careers. Thus, depression is a condition that must be recognized and treated for men to function on their highest level.

What Are The Signs?
1. Men who are depressed may suddenly become irritable and quick to anger. Non-aggressive men may become more aggressive and hostile.

2. Some may abuse alcohol or drugs, or turn to food for comfort, although some may eat less. It really depends on the person and his circumstances.

3. Some men may over-exercise, while others may stop.

4. One man may throw himself into a favorite hobby whereas a workaholic may become more dependent upon work ...while ignoring his relationships.

5. Men may show typical signs of depression, too, such as, feelings of fatigue and burn-out, sleep disturbances and decreased libido. Thought patterns may change; men may think more negatively and perceive the world in darker, more threatening ways. This can be a subtle change. Depressed men may start feeling anxious and worried, and respond poorly to daily problems or stress at work or home, either over-reacting or under-reacting.

Strategies for Helping A Depressed Man:

First, if you notice that a man you care about is depressed, don't beat him over the head with your observations; be careful how you approach the subject, or you may make your relationship problems worse. You might try sharing your concern with him, mentioning that you have noticed one or two of his symptoms. Go gently ...and see if you can get him to open up about how he's feeling. Express your concern. Avoid being critical. Don't blame. Just listen and tell him how concerned you are.

Secondly, if you know someone the depressed man knows and respects, such as his father, pastor or best friend, suggest that he talk to that person. Or, you may enlist the help of a family member or close friend who has his ear.

Thirdly, try to get him to see his doctor (or yours), and encourage him to talk to his doctor about his depressed feelings (maybe he needs to go for other reasons, too). The physician can make a referral for counseling or prescribe helpful anti-depressant medication, if needed.

Fourthly, sometimes we men need a little prodding (and pampering). Be persistent and don't give up, as long as you proceed in a non-threatening manner. Remember, you want the man to view your efforts to help him as a sign of your deep-felt concern, rather than an attempt to nag or harass him. He won't end up feeling pressured by you if you always state your concern in non-demanding ways.

The way you say something is as important as what you say. Some sensitive men are hard to approach, but they tend to respond favorably when you talk to them in a direct, caring and gentle manner. Avoid allowing your body language or tone of voice to express anger or contempt.
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Counseling
If you are in an intimate relationship with a depressed partner, it is often best to seek counseling. It is much easier and more effective to sit down with a trained relationship professional to discuss your relationship problems.  Counseling is one of the best ways to face and deal with depression. It can be just as effective as medication, if not more so. The combination of the two can be even more effective. Sometimes depression can become quite serious and lead to other mental health issues. It is best to take it seriously.