There are so many things you can do to help a friend or relative who is depressed. The first step is to encourage them to seek treatment and help them find and stay with a professional who is well versed in the illness, but there are many other things you can do once they are under a doctor's care. Following are three ways you can help your loved one suffering from depression.

Be There Unconditionally

What your friend or family member needs most is a strong support network. Let them know in uncertain terms that you are there to help them. It is important to not fall into the trap of enabling their disorder or the negative behaviors, actions, and thoughts it causes. You don't have to agree with everything a person says or does to be there for them in a very real way. No matter how the sufferer has acted or is acting, don't abandon them. Make sure they understand that you care about them and will stick by them no matter what. It can be very frustrating attempting to communicate and assist someone you care about who is suffering from depression. Often their rationales seem ludicrous and their actions may seem self defeating. Understand that this is a part of the illness and not a personal affront on you. Also understand that while you should remain close to them throughout their battle with the disorder, you should not encourage or excuse poor behavior. Find a loving way to let them know that you aren't going to abandon them for any reason, but you also aren't going to idly agree with behaviors and attitudes that are unhealthy.

Seek Professional Advice

Many times friends and family members of those suffering from depression have wonderful intentions, but do not have the proper knowledge or tools to handle the disease. Going to visit a therapist, psychiatrist, or group session may help you to better understand the disorder and how you can best help. Keeping in close contact with professionals who fully understand the illness will ensure that you know the right things to do and say and that you also understand what you should never do and say. Many people make the mistake of treating the depressed patient as if they were just dealing with a normal bout of sadness. Depression by definition is not just a bad mood that one can quickly or easily pull themselves out of. A depressed person must fight diligently to recover, but it isn't just as simple as will power. There are a myriad of physiological events occurring along with emotional stressor's that are causing the person to behave abnormally. Insisting they just get over it is not only nearly impossible, but it that attitude can actually make the person's depression worse. Quality professionals will be able to help you understand more precisely what the person is going through and the attitudes and behaviors that are to be expected. They will also be able to help arm you with an arsenal of information on how to best assist your loved one through their troubled time. The proper support from those close to the sufferer play an integral role in how severe the depression becomes and how long it lasts.       

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