Depression Patients and Family Support
Depression is a compulsive and highly repetitive disorder that decreases functionality. Not the only the patients but also their relative face similar problems, such as disappointment, exhaustion, despair, etc. The pessimism of the patient is thought to be reflected on his/her relatives too.
During the introversion periods, the patient may reject the attempts of the relative to establish contact over and over again, which may lead to anger. Similarly, the burden of the relatives may increase due to the decreasing functionality of the patient, which may lead to intimidation.
Sometimes, the relatives may become hopeful by the good course of the disorder, while its recurrence may cause confusion. Some relatives, however, may feel guilt by considering themselves as the cause of the depression. Nevertheless, like in any other disorder, it is required to know that depression cannot be explained by a single cause (e.g. Domestic problems).
On the other hand, family support is important for the recovery of the patient. The patient’s relative must initially be informed on depression by a specialist. Because some relatives may think that this is only a matter of bad mood.
Depression is a medical disorder that requires treatment. A family accompanying the process of recovery may start by talking to the patient about material and moral needs and by determining realistic short-term targets.
The patient will stumble many times while realizing the social and financial targets. The patient’s relatives may have negative feelings during these periods, but not reflecting this onto the patient is a significant detail.
The studies examining the family relations of Depression patients claim that the rate of recurrence is higher in families with high emotional expression. Namely, the frequency of positive or negative warnings, interventions and emotional expressions given to the patients may negatively affect the course of the disorder.
While accompanying a depression patient, you may attract his/her attention to the critical points you recognize as an observer. Nevertheless, these observations must be objective.
- Which thoughts or behavioral changes indicate the recurrence of depression?
- What situations push the patients into depression?
- What kind of measures could be taken for this emerging situation? How did s/he overcome this before?
- What are the fields the patient’s having a decent performance on?
Physical exercises are also thought to be supporting the process of recovery. The patient can be motivated by daily short walks or other simple exercises performed together.
