With the right support, it's possible to help a loved one cope. This article shows you how to be there to listen and help in concrete ways.

Key points to remember

• Depression is considered a mood disorder that can have serious consequences.
• It's important to create a caring environment and to listen without judgment.
• Offering practical day-to-day support can greatly help a depressed person.
• Psychotherapy and appropriate treatments can provide effective support.
• Listening and patience are essential when accompanying a loved one through this ordeal.

Depression definition

Depression is a mood disorder that affects many people. It is characterized by mood disturbances and long-lasting depressive symptoms. They are accompanied by a loss of interest in everyday activities. In all cases, specific attention and treatment are required.

What is depression?

Depression can cause symptoms such as sadness, discouragement, fatigue, sleep and appetite problems. These depressive symptoms can vary in intensity. They may be caused by stressful events, health problems or genetic factors.

Generally speaking, a person suffering from depression is in a state of intense stress, and is probably in a situation where he feels he has no choice but to live it out: he literally feels trapped in something and sees no possible way out.

In a slightly more integrative approach, depression signals a turning point in one's life: the individual has reached a tipping point where he or she has to let go of things he or she no longer wants in his or her life, and move towards the unknown. It's a very uncomfortable, even difficult moment, and one that calls for quality support in order to understand the individual and take him or her by the hand a little way along the way, to help them shift towards what will bring them more joy and happiness in their lives.

The different types of depression

There are several types of depression, ranging from mild to severe:

• Mild depression, with moderate depressive symptoms that don't interfere too much with life.
• Moderate depression, with stronger depressive symptoms that can prevent you from functioning properly.
• Severe depression, with very strong depressive symptoms affecting professional, social and personal life.
• Persistent depression (dysthymia), a long-lasting form of depression with less severe but constant depressive symptoms.

Diagnosing depression is important to know what type of depression you have. It helps to choose the best treatment.

"Depression isn't just a passing mood, it's a complex illness that requires proper attention and treatment."

The 5 phases of depression

Generally speaking, there are several phases that can be used to determine where we stand in the face of depression. These phases show the evolution of depression, from the appearance of the first symptoms to recovery. Sometimes there are 4 phases, sometimes 7. In this article, we'll talk about 5 phases:

1. Trigger phase :

This phase is marked by the appearance of the first symptoms, often linked to a triggering event (such as prolonged stress, bereavement, a break-up, etc.). Symptoms can include unexplained fatigue, mood swings, loss of interest in certain activities, and difficulty concentrating. The signs are often subtle, making depression difficult to identify at this stage.

2. Denial or resistance phase:

During this phase, people often try to deny or minimize their symptoms. They may convince themselves that all is well, or that they can cope on their own. This phase is characterized by a refusal to acknowledge the depression, sometimes out of shame or fear of admitting weakness, although being in a state of depression is not a weakness. This denial can prolong suffering and delay help-seeking.

3. Acute depression:

This is the phase when the symptoms of depression are most intense. The person may experience deep sadness, a sense of emptiness, lack of energy, sleep disturbances, weight loss or gain, and sometimes suicidal thoughts. Daily activities become extremely difficult, and the person may feel completely overwhelmed. It is often at this stage that depression is diagnosed.

4. Treatment and recovery phase:

With appropriate treatment, whether therapy, medication or a combination of both, symptoms begin to diminish. This phase can be long, and often requires regular medical or therapeutic follow-up. Improvement is generally gradual, and it is important to remain vigilant to prevent relapses.

5. Remission or stabilization phase:

Once the symptoms are under control, the person enters a remission phase where they regain a certain balance and normal functioning. However, it is essential to continue monitoring for signs of relapse, as depression can recur, especially if stress factors persist or treatment is stopped prematurely. The remission phase often requires ongoing vigilance.

These phases show that depression is an evolving process, and it's crucial to recognize symptoms early enough to intervene as effectively as possible.

Understanding depression

Depression is relatively complex, with many depressive symptoms and risk factors. Understanding what your loved one is going through on a daily basis is crucial.

Depressive symptoms can be profound sadness, loss of interest in activities, sleep problems, to name but a few. They can have a major impact on the lives of those close to you.

Risk factors such as stressful events or health problems can be factors in depression. Knowing what these factors are can help you better understand depression, and better support your loved ones.

It's also crucial to know the different forms of depression diagnosis, from mild to severe. This will enable you to better understand the situation and offer the right support.

"Depression is not a weakness, it's an illness that requires compassion and real support."

By understanding depression, you can better support your loved one. It will help him or her get through this difficult time.

Signs and symptoms of depression

Recognizing depressive symptoms is crucial to diagnosing depression quickly and effectively. These signs affect daily life, both physically and emotionally.

Physical signs of depression

Depressed people may have physical symptoms such as :

• Chronic fatigue and lack of energy
• Sleep disorders (insomnia or hypersomnia)
• Changes in appetite and weight (weight loss or gain)
• Unexplained physical pain (headaches, muscle aches, etc.)

Emotional signs of depression

Depressed people may feel :

1. A sad, morose or irritable mood
2. A feeling of guilt or unworthiness
3. Loss of interest in usual activities
4. Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
5. Dark or suicidal thoughts

It's crucial not to ignore these depressive symptoms. Consulting a healthcare professional is essential for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Physical signs	Emotional signs
Chronic fatigue	Sad mood
Sleep disorders	Feelings of guilt
Changes in appetite	Loss of interest
Physical pain	Concentration difficulties

"Depression is not a weakness, it's an illness that needs to be properly managed."

How to tell someone about your depression

Talking about depression with a loved one is delicate but essential. It goes a long way towards helping them get through this period. Here are some tips for creating a space of trust and listening without judging.

Creating a favorable environment

Choose a time and place that's conducive to open conversation. Make sure your friend or family member feels safe and understood. Avoid premature judgments and advice. Focus on active listening and empathy. And avoid talking about depression.

Listening without judging

When your loved one confides in you, show your support. Listen without interrupting. Ask open-ended questions to help you understand. Validate their emotions by rephrasing them. Show them that you're there for them, and that they can confide in you if they need to.

Avoid comments that might seem to minimize her suffering. Remember, depression is a complex illness. It often requires depression treatment, such as psychotherapy or tailored therapies.

Your role is to support your loved one with empathy. Don't feel responsible for healing your loved one.

"Attentive listening and empathy are the best tools for helping someone going through depression."

Offering practical support

If someone you know is suffering from depression, it can be hard for them to cope with everyday tasks. As a friend or family member, you can offer practical support. This can help him feel less alone. Here's how you can help:

• Offer to help with daily chores like shopping, cooking or housework. This will take the pressure off and keep what little energy he has, so he can focus on himself.
• Encourage him to maintain a healthy routine, such as regular meals and good sleep. Psychotherapy and treatment are important, but balanced lifestyle habits can also make a big difference.
• Invite him out for a walk, a light activity or just to chat. Isolation can exacerbate the risk factors for depression, so company and social interaction are essential.
• Connecting with nature, walking barefoot, hugging a tree, gazing up at the starry sky are all activities that allow you to connect with the bigger picture and regain some inner calm.

By offering practical support and helping your loved one care for themselves, you play a crucial role in their recovery. Your caring presence can make all the difference.

"Sometimes the best way to help someone is simply to be there for them."

Help with everyday tasks

Daily tasks are usually tedious and energy-consuming. This is where you can be of great help, and prevent your loved one, who already doesn't have much energy, from losing even more. By supporting them in these tasks, you enable your loved one to devote his or her energy to activities that help him or her regain meaning and energy.

Encouraging healthy lifestyle habits

Providing good advice and helping your loved one adopt healthy lifestyle habits will contribute to a speedy recovery, such as :

• Have a healthy diet: we are what we eat, and food has an influence on our bodies. Generally speaking, a depressed person secretes inflammatory factors which can be amplified by food. Food therefore has the potential to keep us in a depressed state, since inflammation also generates depressed states. So it's vital to opt for healthier food, which doesn't mean depriving ourselves, but perhaps eating less excessively.
• Avoid alcohol : alcohol has an effect on the body, particularly on the large intestine. The latter is the seat of the immune system, but also the place where most serotonin is produced (> 90%!). This hormone, also known as the happiness hormone, is responsible for our mood. If our large intestine absorbs alcohol, it will no longer be able to secrete serotonin, and this is what generates the hangover state in the days following big parties.
• Sport : sport doesn't have to mean going to the gym or running a marathon. A short, light run or walk in the woods, for example, can be a great help in secretion.
• Get out in nature : nature has the power to (re)connect us to something greater. Walking barefoot in the grass has been scientifically proven to bring wellbeing, and to discharge negative energies. In the same way, hugging a tree is a great way to release the ions and energies accumulated during the day. Try it yourself, and you'll be amazed.

Depression treatment

Treatment for depression can be different for each person. It can include psychotherapy and treatments that may sometimes include antidepressants. These methods aim to improve mental well-being. It's important, however, to weigh up the pros and cons of each before incorporating it into your life.

Psychotherapy for depression

Psychotherapy is very useful for depression. It helps to change negative thoughts and behaviors. In particular, it helps to identify blocking points and elements, what the depressed individual no longer wants in his or her life and where he or she wants to go.

One of the main objectives is to free yourself emotionally, as you can see in more detail in the article " Emotional freedom: regain your balance ".

In our opinion, the most important thing is to choose carefully who will accompany you through this period of transition. It's important to be accompanied by someone who's interested not only in what your loved one is going through, but in him or her as a whole, and who's willing to dedicate the time needed to help.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are still frequently used in the treatment of depression. They help balance the brain's neurotransmitters. Follow your doctor's advice for safe, effective treatment.

They do, however, have significant health drawbacks, so it's important to weigh up the pros and cons before making any decisions.

Natural treatments

If your loved one is in a relatively early stage of depression it may be worthwhile, in addition to psychotherapy or other holistic or integrative therapies, to take certain herbs or natural treatments to boost the system to recover more quickly and help in the transition phase, such as :

• Chiric SanangoThis plant works at both physical and emotional levels. It acts on the inflammatory framework, reducing it. On an emotional level, it cuts the mind down before going to bed, and helps you find the restful sleep you need to have the strength and energy to face this particular moment.
• The D-Pression kitkit, which combines Chiric Sanango for what we've seen above, and Caapi for a clearer mind and a more direct, safer approach to change.

Conclusion

Depression is a complex, topical subject that requires a great deal of attention and support. While it's important to feel supported by those close to us at such times, it's even more important to be supported by professionals who will take the time to help us identify what we no longer want in our lives, and where we want to go from here.

FAQ

What are the signs of depression?

Signs of depression include a sad or irritable mood. There may also be a loss of interest in usual activities. Other signs include sleep disturbances and severe fatigue.

There may also be difficulty concentrating and feelings of guilt. Occasionally, dark thoughts or suicidal ideation may appear.

How can I help someone suffering from depression?

To help a loved one suffering from depression, create a caring environment. Listen without judging. Offer practical support in everyday life.

Encourage him to consult a healthcare professional for appropriate treatment.

What are the different types of depression?

There are several types of depression, from mild to severe. We can distinguish major depression, dysthymia, seasonal depression and post-partum depression.

How is depression treated?

Treatments for depression include psychotherapy as well as medication. Sometimes, a combination of the two is the best option. Follow the advice of a healthcare professional.

What are the risk factors for depression?

Risk factors for depression include stressful life events and physical health problems. Family history and past traumas may also play a role. Certain personality characteristics also increase risk.

How is depression diagnosed?

A healthcare professional, such as a doctor (general practitioner, functional) or psychiatrist, can diagnose depression. This is done after an interview and assessment of symptoms. This enables the type and severity of depression to be determined, so that the most appropriate treatment can be chosen. It is important that these diagnoses are made after an interview lasting at least 1 to 2 hours, so as to take account of the individual's entire environment.