Despite its being a part of many of our lives, depression is still an enigma to American culture.
Our friends and loved ones who experience the disorder feel the effects of these misunderstandings in a powerfully oppressive way.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “only 25 percent of adults with mental health symptoms believed that people are caring and sympathetic to persons with mental illness.”
Depression is an isolating and confusing force of nature, and the typical interactions we’ve come to expect from our friends might change, according to psychcentral.com.
By educating ourselves on the reality of the disorder and taking the time to be there for our friends and loved ones, depression can be made a more bearable experience.
It might sound simplistic and obvious, but making a conscious and genuine effort to be there for your friend can have a powerfully positive effect.
You might feel uncomfortable or intrusive, as individuals experiencing depression do need their own space from time to time.
While this is understandable, I dare you to step out of your comfort zone, in order to become a better friend.
Take a leap of faith and communicate your willingness to be there, as this can open the door for a more profound relationship between the two of you.
Words can be difficult to find, so start small and build from there.
Allow your friend to talk and all you have to do is be an attentive listener.
Simply being there to hold a hand, allowing them to cry or helping with a household task speaks volumes about how important they are to you.
You might be tempted to minimize the situation or utilize tough love, but this sort of pushiness can only drive your friend further from you.
Instead, focus on their story.
Use the words and phrases they use to demonstrate you are truly hearing what they say.
You might make mistakes, but it’s fine and to be expected.
Don’t be discouraged by the setbacks you experience along with your friend.
The fact that you’re trying will lead to a sense of trust between the person in need of help and yourself.
By recognizing your humanity and apologizing for any assumptions or dismissals you might make, your friend will come to trust and value your efforts all the more.
Be patient and present for friends and loved ones experiencing depression.
With the custom-fit friendship they need from you, this painful period in their life can come to strengthen the bond the two of you share.
In the end, we remember the people who truly made an effort to touch our lives.
sjdickma@indiana.edu
@Samuel_Dickman
