There is no denying that depression is a serious mental health problem. Suspected that someone close to you had it? In fact, you can easily find symptoms of depression in their behavior; If recently the person has been sleep deprived, has no appetite, or has lost weight, he or she is most likely suffering from depression. Observe also his mood; if her mood swings are too drastic and she always has trouble concentrating, then depression is likely to be the trigger. Remember, a person with depression needs your support and professional help from a mental health professional. If you suspect someone close to you is potentially suicidal, don't wait too long to consult a doctor.
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Part 1 of 4: Evaluating His Mood
Step 1. Beware of loss of interest
Anhedonia, or a person's loss of interest in daily activities, is one of the most common symptoms of depression. Watch out if your friend seems to be no longer interested in the daily activities that she used to enjoy.
- You can easily notice this kind of behavior. For example, someone who used to be very sociable suddenly refuses your invitation to travel for no apparent reason. Another example, your coworker who used to always work while listening to music suddenly chooses to always work in silence.
- It's possible that your friend will appear more reserved, no longer smile easily, and no longer laugh at the jokes they hear. A decrease in the happiness scale is one of the symptoms of depression.
Step 2. Beware of the emergence of a pessimistic attitude
Often times, depression can make sufferers feel hopeless and lose hope. If your friend is always thinking the worst of things, he or she may be suffering from depression. Generally, you don't have to worry if the situation only lasts a day or two; however, be aware that the behavior feels consistent and repetitive over a long period of time.
- Sometimes, the behavior will be obvious. For example, he might keep saying, "There's no hope." However, sometimes you will have a hard time realizing it; especially since someone who is depressed will appear realistic instead of pessimistic.
- If someone is depressed, he or she might say, "I've been studying really hard for tomorrow's exam, but I think I'll still get a bad grade." Although it sounds pragmatic, it's actually an indication of depression if you keep saying it for a long period of time. which is old.
- If your friend's pessimism is persistent and persistent, it's likely that he or she is really depressed.
Step 3. Beware of forced happy expressions
Happiness that seems forced is generally also a symptom of depression. If your friend is constantly claiming to be okay and acting more cheerful than usual, it's more than likely that this behavior is a "mask" of her depression. Sooner or later, he will distance himself from other people because he is afraid that his falsehood will be noticed by those around him.
- Someone with a forced happy expression will definitely look odd to you. For example, even if his lips are smiling, he will appear to be closing in on himself or pulling himself away from you.
- For example, he may refuse your invitations to travel together, respond less and less to your text messages and calls, or appear to be isolating himself from other people.
- If the pattern is consistent and repeats itself, it's more likely that she is experiencing depression.
Step 4. Observe drastic mood swings
People who are depressed are generally more sensitive; As a result, their emotions will be more unstable. If a friend who used to be relaxed and carefree suddenly looks sad, angry, or anxious all the time, he or she is most likely depressed. Similarly, if your friend experiences very drastic mood swings for no apparent reason.
- A person who is depressed will generally be weaker and irritable. If your friend is grumpy just because you're a few seconds late to an event with her, she's probably really depressed.
- A person who is depressed is also more irritable. For example, your friend will easily get frustrated when he explains something to you.
- If the situation only occurs once or twice, your friend may just be having a bad day. However, if the behavior occurs repeatedly and has a specific pattern, it is very likely that he is indeed experiencing depression.
Step 5. Watch out if he seems to have trouble concentrating
Depressive disorders can contribute to a person's mind with negative things; As a result, people with depression will often have difficulty concentrating and decreased productivity.
- For people with depression, impaired concentration can negatively affect their social and professional lives. A friend who is depressed will most likely have trouble communicating with you; Alternatively, he will often forget about his academic responsibilities.
- Ignoring responsibilities and forgetting deadlines are some of the common indicators of depression in a person. If your friend often forgets to attend meetings or collect work, she may be suffering from depression.
Step 6. Be aware of the emergence of excessive guilt
Generally, a person who is depressed will feel guilty about all aspects of his life. If the person closest to you is constantly feeling guilty (especially over the smallest things), he or she is most likely depressed.
- Chances are, he will also continue to curse the mistakes he has made. For example, she might say, “I'm really sorry that I didn't study well in college. I should have done better at the meeting this morning. Duh, I've already harmed the people of one company."
- A person who is depressed will often also feel guilty because he has felt certain emotions; sometimes, their existence even made them feel guilty. As a result, they often apologize because they are in a bad mood or can't be a good friend to you.
Part 2 of 4: Observing His Changes in Behavior
Step 1. Be aware of changes in sleep patterns
Someone who is depressed will definitely experience sleep cycle disorders such as insomnia or sleeping too long. Knowing a person's sleep pattern is not easy, but at least try to listen to every detail he tells or observe changes in behavior caused by sleep disorders.
- The easiest way to know a person's sleep cycle is to listen to the information directly from his mouth. For example, your friend may admit to having insomnia or sleeping too much recently.
- Sleep cycle disorders can also be seen from changes in a person's behavior. If your friend looks tired or grumbles all day, chances are she's not getting enough sleep at night.
- Your friend may also experience depression if suddenly their sleep duration increases significantly.
- In fact, sleep cycle disorders can be caused by many things (including physical pain). To find out if the sleep disorder is related to depression, try observing other symptoms that also appear.
Step 2. Watch for changes in appetite
A person who is depressed may eat more – or even less – than usual to take his mind off the stress.
- A person who overeats is more likely to snack more frequently and increase the portion of his or her heavy meal. Beware if your friend is seen ordering food out more often.
- A person who has no appetite will often skip heavy meals. Watch out if your friend seems to often skip lunch.
Step 3. Consider drug and alcohol use
Be careful, the condition of major depression can also make sufferers become addicted to alcohol or drugs. Although the situation is not always the case, the fact is that most people with depression are proven to fall into this hole.
- If you live under the same roof as someone who is depressed, you are more likely to be aware of the situation. For example, he may be seen drinking alcohol every night, even though he has to go to school the next morning.
- Most likely, you will also notice the emergence of addiction in him. For example, he may often come out of the room to smoke or drink alcohol more frequently by the day.
Step 4. Observe the change in his weight
Depression has the potential to significantly reduce a person's appetite and activity level; therefore, people with depression will generally experience a weight change (up or down) by 5% within one month. In general, these are the symptoms you will be easiest to notice.
If these symptoms occur in addition to other symptoms, it is very likely that he is suffering from depression
Part 3 of 4: Recognizing Dangerous Symptoms
Step 1. Be aware of emerging topics related to death
Someone who wants to commit suicide tends to always talk about death. For example, they suddenly bring up the topic of whether or not there is life after death and constantly talk about things related to the subject.
In extreme cases, someone who is suicidal will even say, “I just want to die.”
Step 2. Watch out for negative statements
The minds of people who are suicidal are dominated by negative thoughts about themselves and the world around them; As a result, they often feel hopeless and unmotivated. Beware if he always sounds pessimistic and constantly complains about his life situation.
- People who are suicidal usually say, "Life is too hard" or "There's no way out of this situation" or "There's nothing I can do to improve the situation."
- Chances are, they'll also constantly talk about negative things about themselves like, "I'm making everyone's life difficult" or "You shouldn't know me, right."
Step 3. Watch out if he looks like he's trying to sort things out one by one
Watch out, the real alarm has been sounded! Pay extra attention to people who appear to be working harder to pay off their debts or are starting to build up their inheritance. Also beware of those who are seen handing out valuables to those around them.
Step 4. Be aware of specific suicide plans
One of the most dangerous symptoms is when a person has developed a specific suicide plan. If you know he's trying to prepare a dangerous weapon or substance, he's more than likely suicidal. In addition, you may find paper that looks like a note left before his suicide.
If someone is really planning to commit suicide, immediately report it to the nearest emergency services. Be careful, the situation can really jeopardize his life if left for too long
Step 5. Take action if you suspect someone you know is about to commit suicide
In that situation, make sure you take the necessary action. Remember, suicidal ideation is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Therefore, make sure you take the below actions:
- Don't leave him alone. If he tries to harm himself, immediately contact the police or other emergency services in your area. Make sure you also immediately inform the situation to relatives and / or closest friends.
- Unfortunately, since 2014 counseling services for people who want to commit suicide in Indonesia have been disabled. Therefore, if you are not by his side, ask him to call the police or the number 119 to be connected to the nearest mental hospital.
- A person who is suicidal needs to receive immediate help from a mental health professional. Therefore, make sure he or she contacts the relevant therapist or counselor; chances are, he may even need to be hospitalized for a while.
Part 4 of 4: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Talk to him
If you suspect someone you know is depressed, try talking to them. Although he also needs medical help, some of the burden will definitely be lifted if he can tell his problems to those closest to him. Remember, one of the best medicines for someone who is depressed is the support of the people they love and love.
- Share your concerns. Try starting by saying, "I'm worried because you've been looking different lately. There is a problem?"
- Carefully address the symptoms that trigger your concern. For example, “You've been looking tired lately. I know it could be anything. But you're all right, aren't you?"
- Let him know that you are willing to help him. Try saying, “Don't hesitate, if you want to talk. I'd be happy to listen."
Step 2. Encourage him to consult a relevant health professional
Remember, you can't fight alone to deal with other people's problems; in other words, he should see a psychiatrist or therapist to restore his mental health. Most likely, after that he will have to attend counseling sessions or take certain drugs until his condition is completely recovered.
If necessary, offer to help find a therapist for her. If both of you are still in school or college, try referring them to your school counselor or college counselor
Step 3. Make it clear that you will continue to provide him with the support and assistance he needs
Remember, people who are depressed need ongoing support. Therefore, let him know that if needed, you are willing to take him to the doctor, help monitor his schedule, and offer any other help he needs to make his life easier.
Always remember that you can only help and support him, not solve his problem. In other words, he still needs to seek the help of the relevant health professional
Tips
- If your friend doesn't want to tell you anything, don't force her; most importantly, make it clear that you will always be there to listen if needed.
- If someone you suspect is depressed has recently given birth, consider the possibility that that person may actually be experiencing postpartum depression.
- If you suspect someone you know is depressed, never underestimate their condition or accuse them of seeking attention. Such preconceived notions and/or comments will only make his depression worse.
