Overcoming depression can be difficult: those affected often find it difficult to get out of the downward spiral themselves. You can find out how you can best help here.
According to the Robert Koch Institute, 17 percent of adults in Germany will be diagnosed with depression in 2024. Although mental illness is quite common and 1.2 billion people worldwide are mentally ill, many do not know how to help affected friends, partners or family members overcome their depression.
Here you can find out which symptoms indicate depression, what you need to pay attention to when dealing with a sick person and how you can best support them.
Overcome depression: You should pay attention to these symptoms
It is not that easy to determine whether someone is suffering from depression. Symptoms and intensity can vary significantly. That’s why it’s important that you pay close attention to the other person if you want to help them overcome depression.
According to the German Depression Aid, the following symptoms, among others, can indicate depression:
- Sadness, depression, joylessness
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Lack of motivation, loss of interest
- Difficulty concentrating and reduced performance
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
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Loss of appetite or change in appetite
- Sleep disorders
- restlessness
Depending on how severe the symptoms are, a distinction is made between mild, moderate and severe depression.
If you are not sure whether you or someone close to you is suffering from depression, the German Depression League’s depression check can help you with an initial assessment.
Overcoming depression: Here’s how you can help
If you want to help a depressed person, it is very important to avoid well-intentioned advice, as the German Depression Help recommends. If you want to help someone overcome depression, you should do the following instead:
- Signal to the person that you are taking the illness seriously and that help is available – this is also what the German Medical Association recommends.
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Support the depressed person and be empathetic. For example, help her find a therapy place or just call the family doctor’s office – that’s often the first hurdle. Because of depression, many people don’t have the energy to do it or believe that professional help won’t help them.
- Be there for the person affected and support them. For example, take a walk together, cook together or just listen.
- Be patient. Depressed people can often be dismissive. This is often not meant personally, but is due to the clinical picture.
- A structured everyday life often helps. These include, for example, fixed times for dinner or joint activities such as sports. Jogging, yoga and strength training, for example, are sports that can help with depression.
- Relaxation exercises and a balanced diet often help with a depressive mood.
Very important: Do not try to treat the depressed person yourself. If someone wants to overcome depression, professional help is essential. The chances of recovery after a single depressive episode are good.
Overcome depression: Get professional help in an emergency!
If a person you are trying to help overcome depression is unwell, you should be alarmed. This is especially true if there is an acute risk of suicide, warns the German Depression Aid.
In such a case you can:
- Call the treating psychotherapeutic practice
- call the emergency number 112
- call the medical emergency number on 116117
- call the telephone pastoral care on 116 123 (but you can also just chat with the telephone pastoral care if it is not so urgent)
- Get advice from Caritas or Diakonie
Overcoming depression: Don’t forget yourself
Trying to help someone overcome depression can be stressful and draining. That’s why you should take good care of yourself and think about self-care, as the German Depression League writes. There are also assistance programs for relatives. These include, for example, self-help groups or psychotherapeutic support.
Always remember: you can’t help anyone if you’re not feeling well yourself.
Edited by Lea Hermann
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