Mental Health and Lifestyle

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At some stage or another, everybody feels blue. But the feeling usually passes and we can go on with our lives.

But what if the feeling doesn’t go away? Compare how you feel to these classic signs of depression and see if you need to seek help:

You feel withdrawn from the pleasures of life. Nothing excites you anymore. You feel unmoved. Empty.
You are forgetful – more so than usual – and will sometimes have no recollection afterwards.
You cannot sleep, and there’s no logical reason why you are unable to.
You have lost your appetite or become nauseous, even when you face your favourite dish.

Encourage the person to see a doctor, and go along for support.
Help the person to stick to his/her treatment plan, especially if it includes taking medicine. Improvement may take several weeks, so be patient. At the same time, do not see signs of improvement as a reason for your loved one to stop his/her medication.
Provide emotional support. Listen. Offer hope but don’t give advice.
Invite the person to do an activity he/she used to enjoy. Don’t push them too hard though.
Do not tell the person he/she will "snap out of it."
Take any comments about suicide seriously and seek professional help.