Setting boundaries with a person with, depression
Depression can be very difficult, not just for people, who experience it firsthand but
Also, for their loved ones if you have a friend or a family member with, depression
You, may!
Be able to offer them social support at the same time it's important to set boundaries and address your own needs to
The risks of caregiving when someone you love is depressed. You may, want to help them, any, way you can
However it's, also important to take steps to protect
Your, own mental and physical health if you attempt to provide care for someone with depression
You're, at risk of experiencing
Some degree of psychological distress too one study found that caregivers of people with
Major, depressive, disorder and bipolar, disorder were more likely to report
Psychological distress than caregivers, who provide assistance to persons with other health care needs in the general population
They, also reported lower quality of life
Everyone experiences and reacts to depression differently, some people with
Depression become physically or verbally abusive, while others become majid ated or act recklessly
Some people react to depression, by indulging in drugs or binging on alcohol some become so lethargic
They can, barely get dressed feed themselves or tend to their basic
Hygiene needs, when you're caring for someone with, depression these behaviors, may pose a threat to your, own well-being
You, may find it stressful or physically challenging to help, them meet their, daily care needs you
May, even become a target of physical or verbal abuse
Setting boundaries when you're caring for someone with depression it's important to talk about
Behaviors that are unacceptable or dangerous for example consider the following guidelines and strategies
Stick to the treatment plan
social support is important but it's generally not enough to treat depression if
Someone you know is coping with, depression
Encourage them to get professional help
Depression is a medical condition that can be treated with therapy medic or a combination of both
Tell the person you care, about them but you can't help, them, alone explain, why
you think
they need
to Seek professional treatment insist on them following their mental health practitioners advice for example they should
Agree to faithfully at10 medical appointments. They should, also take prescribed medications as directed
Stand up to abuse if the person you're caring for targets you with, abusive language tell
Them it's unacceptable and they need to avoid that behavior if they've engaged in any sort of physical abuse or violence
Insist that they stop if you suspect
Your physical health is at risk, ask for help from family members or friends if you live with
This, person it may be necessary to involve local law, enforcement officials if you, do not live with
This, person and you are being physically abused
Assaulted you may need to distance yourself until the person gets the help that they need
Encourage healthy habits
Encourage the person you're caring for to channel their energy into constructive behaviors such as exercise
Regular, exercise lowers the risk of depression it may, also help, them recover more quickly
you should, also encourage them to eat a healthy diet
Consider supplementing it with vitamin d and omega-3 fatty acids commonly found in fish oil low
Levels of these nutrients, may raise the risk of depression
One study found that many participants with, depression, had low. Levels of vitamin d
Three months of vitamin d supplementation helped relieve their symptoms of depression
Another review, suggests, that low. Levels of omega-3 fatty acids may play a role in some cases of depression
More research is needed to learn if omega-3 fatty acid supplements can effectively treat depression
The risks of taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements are low. Keep time for yourself
Let the person, you're caring for know that you can't be present 24 hours a day seven days a week you need?
some time for yourself
Try to follow a healthy diet a. Sighs regularly and get enough sleep
To, manage your stress make time for regular breaks and activities you enjoy
The takeaway, when you're not healthy, yourself it can
Be hard to care for someone else take steps to prevent
Burn out injury and illness by setting realistic boundaries talk to the person, you're caring for about harmful behaviors
Encourage them to follow their recommended treatment plan practice healthy habits and respect. Your mental and physical health needs
Depression is difficult for everyone involved?
Obviously even patients with mild depression suffer from the debilitating effects of the illness
While severe depression has been described as dank, joylessness dot-dot-dot
Suffocation and a life-and-death struggle by some
who have, experienced it
Caring for the caregiver in the face of such despair and pain it's easy to lose sight
Of the fact that depression is also hard on the patient's close friends and family especially
Those tasked with caring for the depressed individual, well you may
Want to help the patient in any way you can it's not unreasonable to take steps to ensure your own
Ongoing, mental and physical health and safety studies show
That people, who provide care for a loved one with, major depression are often at risk of suffering, some degree of psychological distress
themselves one study suggested that caregivers of people with, major depressive disorder
experienced reduced quality of life compared to similar people
Who were not caring for a depressed patient this impact on quality of life is not unique however
Distress among caregivers is common for a
Broad range of disabilities if you find yourself assuming responsibility for the care of a depressed person it may
Be wise to establish, some ground rules regarding, what is and is not?
Acceptable behavior, by the patient setting boundaries
Everyone experiences and reacts to depression differently, some patients
May, become physically or verbally abusive, while others may become agitated or act recklessly
People react to depression, by indulging in drugs or binging on alcohol still others may become so lethargic
They can, barely get dressed feed themselves or tend to basic. Hygiene
Some can, barely generate the will to get out of bed or dress for the day at all any of the former behaviors
May pose a threat to your, own safety or well-being in such cases it's advisable to establish
What is acceptable behavior in light of the patient's condition, and what is out-of-bounds?
The following are some guidelines for caregivers successful interactions with, depressed patients, stick to treatment
Explain to the patient that he or she must seek and willingly participate in treatment for the illness
Require that the patient follow, their mental health practitioners advice
Insist that the patient, agreed to faithfully take, any prescribed medications as directed
Also, make it clear that the patient must agree to attend any medical appointments without fail
No, abuse if the patient has engaged in abusive language
Explained that you will attempt to be patient and
Understanding but insist that the patient make an effort to refrain from engaging in such behavior in the future if
The patient has engaged in any sort of physical abuse or violence
Insist that he or she stopped if you feel. Physically at risk, ask for help from other family members or friends if
Necessary call law enforcement
support constructive habits
Suggest that restless or agitated patients, may wish to channel their energy into constructive behaviour such as engaging in exercise
Exercise is significantly associated with a reduced risk of depression and may help accelerate recovery
Encourage healthy habits
Insist that the patient make an effort to eat a healthy diet
Consider supplementing the diet with vitamin d and fish oil omega-3 fatty acids
Studies suggest, that people with, depression are often deficient in these nutrients
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is associated with improved outcomes patience taking antidepressant medications
Studies, also show, that people with
Higher levels of vitamin d and omega-3 fatty acids are less likely to become depressed
Some experts suggest taking from 2,000 to 10,000 d vitamin d daily for the relief of vitamin d
Insufficiency or deficiency keep time for yourself
Ensure that the patient understands that you cannot be present 24 hours a, day
Seven days a week you need, and deserve time to yourself
Insist that he or she realized that you must, also be allowed sufficient time to care for your, own needs
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