How to Help When Someone You Love is Depressed

The recent suicide of comedian Richard Jeni has brought attention to the ongoing battle that many people face with depression. Clinical depression remains a misunderstood condition, one that is frequently belittled by those lucky enough to have no experience with the disease. Far from being a matter of choice, depression is tied to the neurochemistry of the brain, and while it can be exacerbated or improved by thought patterns and behaviors, the basis of the disease remains physical. Telling someone with depression to "get over it" while offering no treatment or support makes as much sense as telling someone with cancer to "walk it off."

Depression is a formidable opponent, one that all too frequently wins the war, as it did with Mr. Jeni. It is armed with hopelessness, lethargy, and utter, black despair. Depression can sap the will to even do so much as breathe, making normal functioning an effort of Herculean proportions. Fighting this battle is difficult and painful, and some people are unfortunate enough to fight the battle alone.

If you find yourself with a loved one contending with depression, here are some suggestions for how to help them make it through. While you can't fight their battle for them, there are some things you can do to keep them company and give them strength in their time of struggle.

Recognize the Symptoms

The most obvious sign or symptom of depression is sadness, but not every person with depression sits and weeps all day. Other signals are harder to detect, but there to see if you look. If your loved one is irritable, easily annoyed, or lacking interest in the activities that they previously enjoyed, these could all indicate that depression is a problem. Sometimes depression displays itself in lack of appetite, increased appetite, decreased sexual desire, lethargy or boredom. While not all of these things are absolutely symptomatic of depression, a grouping of three or more certainly can be.

Be compassionate.