8 Things You Can Do For Someone Suffering from Depression
by Susan
Dunn
zone3
Someone suffering a clinical depression needs medication and therapy.
In addition, here are some things you can do for them as a loving person
in their life, or as their personal life coach.
1. Be clear in your mind that they need medication and therapy, and
project this. Encourage them to continue both. Make it clear it's now the
new routine.
2. There should be Guide Dogs for the Depressed. If the depressed
loved-one or client in your life doesn't have a companion pet, give them a
well-trained, easy-to-manage, older one. This is particularly important if
they live alone. Specify that you will take care of the dog in terms of
vet care and bills, and provide a starter-kit--huge bag of dog food and
container, food and water dishes, bedding, etc. In other words, make it
easy for them to accept this healing gift. I have a depressed coaching
client in Manhattan suffering the aftermath of Nine One One who mostly
talks to me about her beloved companion dog. I consider “Cody” part of the
healing team for this woman.
3. Make any decision you can for the person. In other words, don't
say "Would you like to go out for dinner tonight? Where would you like to
go?" Say instead, "We're going to Bijan's tomorrow night for dinner. I'll
pick you up at 7:00. Just wear your jeans." Once there, offer to order for
the person.
4. Speak in normal, modulated tones. Avoid an
overly-'compassionate' look of concern or a patronizing tone of voice. If
they have trouble making a decision or remembering something, keep your
eyes from looking overly concerned or worried. This will only add to their
worry and confusion.
5. Just be with them. Don't hover, try to cheer them up, argue, try
to 'get a rise out of them,' or ask them 'talk about it.' Cognitive
processes are slowed, and emotionally, they're in conflict. Under those
circumstances, it's difficult to talk. It's hard to connect with people,
even best-beloved ones, when you're clinically depressed--hard to maintain
eye-contact and to follow long sentences and thoughts. A metaphor I use is
play lacrosse with them, don't face off with them on the football line. Be
'around' them, not 'in their face.' 6. Don't put them in a position
that would arouse emotions. Celebrations, holidays, receiving gifts, or a
long discourse on foreign policy all require a level of involvement the
depressed person is not capable of.
7. Be grounded and stay centered yourself. Remind yourself of your
love for them that will endure "even this."
8. When the person begins to heal is a wonderful time for them to
have a coach.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan Dunn is a personal and professional life coach, and author of
the hot new ebook "Secrets to Marketing Prof. Services Online (on her
web). Email her for FREE ezine, 100% FREE.
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