What is the best way to live with a person who is chronically depressed?

1. 89

   Pamela99posted 12 years ago

   What is the best way to live with a person who is chronically depressed?
   
   This individual had a stroke leaving them with several physical limitations.

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2. 62

   sarmackposted 12 years ago

   The first question is, who says the person is depressed?  Another person?! 
   The stroke triggers the question for me, as I had a stroke in 1998.  It was caused by Spiritual Attack.  If this person is Christian, they are most likely oppressed, not depressed.  The cause of the symptoms coming from actions of other people.   The first thing I would do is consider what I might be doing to cause this person pain.  And, change myself.  You cannot change another person.  To try to change another person will cause things to get worse. 
   To help improve conditions caused by the stroke, provide games that require focus.  If speech is impaired, give her things to read aloud.  If her writing is impaired, give her a tablet and pen and books to copy from.  Just give her presents and leave her to take the initiative.  If she cannot walk, start by going from room to room and work up to walking down the block. 
   It took me 8 years, alone, to recover from my stroke.  With Love and Caring, a person should see much improvement within 6 months.  May God Bless this person with Healing.  And may God Bless you for your Love and Caring.

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3. 73

   d.williamposted 12 years ago

   First of all one has to find the cause of the depression:
   What are symptoms of depression? 
   What are the Warning signs or suicide with depression? 
   These answers can be found at: 
   www.webmd.com/depression/default.htm   (copy and paste in your search bar)
   The causes and symptoms are too numerous to list here.  They are extremely important to know and learn how to deal with them.
   Depression carries a high risk of suicide. Anybody who expresses suicidal thoughts or intentions should be taken very, very seriously. Do not hesitate to call your local suicide hotline immediately. Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) -- or the deaf hotline at 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889).
   If you or someone you know is demonstrating any of the warning signs of suicide with depression, either call your local suicide hot line, contact a mental health professional right away, or go to the emergency room for immediate treatment.

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4. 61

   Blogurlposted 12 years ago

   I cannot say for certain since I am not in this situation, but I would suggest trying to talk to them and get them to talk as much as possible. You never really understand how important this is until you do it.
   
   Try to get that person to go see someone to talk to such as a counselor or psychiatrist. There is no shame it that.
   
   Try to help that person do something they love, like a hobby. Creative expression can help a lot.

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5. 51

   babithababaposted 12 years ago

   First to forgive him 100% . That means effort . Because difficult behaviours , agony and  suffering are the results of living with a chronically depressed person . So what  ?We have to be healthy in behaviour , in attitudes towards him and understanding .
   
   I think  , more than words , a lovely look , a pat , a loving touch all would work your way up to live with this person peacefully . Still things may go out of your hands . Then take life as it comes , as the saying goes .

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6. 72

   The Frog Princeposted 12 years ago

   I'll take a SWAG at it Pamela - Very, very carefully.  I was talking to my business partner the other day about his wife who OD'ed because of depression.  He said it was a constant nightmare with the mood swings she went through.  I felt for the man as he told me the tale.
   
   The Frog

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7. 77

   Kaluxposted 12 years ago

   I feel like I can answer this because I have chronic depression. Having patience and empathy are indeed helpful. It's extremely hard for someone who hasn't experienced it to really understand so understanding that fact is the most important. It's okay to not understand it as long as you realize that and are without judgements because that is tremendously hard to deal with as a depressed individual.

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