Updated on April 24, 2024
Supporting a loved one battling anxiety and depression can be challenging. Each day brings new emotions and uncertainties. It’s a journey that demands empathy, patience, and continuous support.
It’s natural to want to fix things when someone you love is struggling, especially with mental illness. But the path to support isn’t always straightforward; depression and anxiety can manifest in many ways. While you might feel unsure about what to do or say, your presence and understanding can make a real difference in their long-term well-being. Let’s explore how to recognise signs of struggle and use effective approaches to offer supportive actions.
Depression
Depression is a mental health disorder characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. It can affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities. Symptoms of depression can vary widely from person to person but may include:
- Persistent sadness or emptiness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Anxiety
Anxiety is a natural response to stress or danger. It’s a feeling of fear or apprehension about something expected or uncertain. It is considered a normal reaction in daily life. However, for some people, anxiety can become excessive and overwhelming and interfere with daily life. This is when it may be diagnosed as an anxiety disorder. Symptoms of anxiety can vary widely, but they often include feelings of nervousness, restlessness, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, trouble concentrating, and sleep disturbances.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
This involves a continuous and overwhelming concern over various matters like work, health, family, or money, even when there is little or no reason to worry.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
This often referred to as social phobia, is characterised by a profound fear and avoidance of social interactions caused by a concern over being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
This is more common in children but can also affect adults. It involves excessive anxiety about separation from home or from people to whom the individual has a strong emotional attachment.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD can develop following an individual’s exposure to a distressing incident, like war, natural disasters, serious accidents, or physical or sexual assault. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Panic Disorder
People with panic disorder experience sudden and repeated attacks of intense fear that may include symptoms like sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a feeling of doom. These panic attacks can occur without warning.
These are just some of the main forms of anxiety disorders. It’s important to note that each person’s experience with anxiety can be unique, and individuals may exhibit symptoms from more than one type of anxiety disorder.
10 Ways to Support Someone with Anxiety and Depression
- Offer a Helping Hand: Begin by reassuring your loved one that you’re going to be there for them and assist them with whatever they need. This can be through offering emotional support, helping them book their appointments, going with them through their appointments, or listening to them.
- Be respectful and treat them with dignity: Show respect and dignity towards the person. Understand that each person’s circumstances and requirements are different. Honouring their autonomy while acknowledging their capacity to make personal choices is also important.
- Help them Understand Their Condition: Gently explain to them that while it’s not something they can control, there’s no shame in seeking help. Thankfully, with treatment, most people with depression and anxiety feel significantly better and find ways to cope with it.
- Consider professional support: Depression can feel overwhelming. Seeking professional help is a great first step. There’s no shame in seeking help from a professional. A doctor or mental health therapist can create a treatment plan to get you feeling better again.
- Focus on the positive Impact: Celebrate their accomplishments, no matter how small. Remind them of their talents and strengths and how much they’ve overcome. Share how their presence makes a difference. Tell them how much you appreciate their unique qualities and their positive influence on your life. Acknowledge the effort behind their actions. Say things like, ‘I know it wasn’t easy, but I’m proud of you for trying.
- Community Help: Look into local resources for depression support. Many communities offer support groups, counselling services, and other programs to help people cope with anxiety and depression. Numerous organisations provide support, counselling, and various resources to help manage depression. These groups can be a great source of information and connection.
- Sticking to Treatment and Prescriptions: Encourage your loved one to adhere to their treatment plan. If someone is undergoing depression treatment, assist them in remembering to take medications and attend appointments.
- Focusing on Faith: Encourage active involvement in their faith if it holds significance. For many individuals, faith plays a vital role in overcoming depression, whether through participation in a religious community or through personal spiritual beliefs and practices.
- Practising Self-Care: Encourage the individual to prioritise self-care by incorporating healthy practices, such as following a balanced diet, ensuring adequate sleep, and engaging in regular physical activity.
- Spending Quality Time Together: Make plans together. Invite the person to accompany you on a walk, watch a movie together, or engage in a hobby or activity they used to enjoy. However, avoid pressuring them into participating if they’re not ready.
Taking Care of Yourself as a Carer
To prevent burnout while caring for someone with depression, it’s important to seek support from other relatives or friends and communicate your needs. Prioritise your own well-being by making time for activities you enjoy, staying physically active, maintaining social connections, and nurturing your spirit. Practice patience, as improvement in depression symptoms often takes time and may involve trying various treatment options. While some may experience quick relief, for others, it may require a longer journey to find effective treatment.
Looking for reliable and trustworthy care services?
At Centre Disability Support, we offer tailored support services for individuals with disabilities throughout Australia. We offer housing options in Logan, Ipswich and Brisbane areas, where we provide independent supported living or assist individuals in finding suitable options for individualised living.
Additionally, we provide day-to-day support for individuals with mental health issues, complex behaviour and other types of disabilities. We also have support coordinators available to assist with planning, navigating NDIS plans, and offering casework support.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, or a loved one, or simply wish to learn more about our services, we’re here to help.
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