Everyone can have a bad day, and we've all been there. Whether it's been a hectic day at work or a stressful event, your mental health needs time to recover. There is no such thing as having a bad day and bouncing back again to your old self without support.
So, of course, when a loved one goes through a difficult time, you understand the importance of showing them they are not alone. What kind of talk helps with depressive behaviours and minds?
Talking makes a big difference
Feeling down is unpleasant. However, being unable to express your emotions and thoughts can make it a lot more challenging. Indeed, depression begins when you allow your dark thoughts to take over and crush the bright sides of your personality.
Your loved one is likely to go through the same experience. Therefore, something as simple as engaging in a conversation can provide a useful distraction to their thoughts. It isn't about asking them how they are. Chances are you can already see they are not doing ok. Unless you have a magic trick that can take all the darkness away in a few words, distraction can be the best approach. Why? Because talking about anything can remind them they are alive and help them find some comfort.
Asking if they have someone to talk to about their feelings
A bad day happens. But when the bad day never goes away, it is time to be honest with your loved one. Prolonged depressive mood triggers depression, isolation, and even anxiety. Unfortunately, short-term distractions are unhelpful when it comes to tackling the issue. What could the underlying issue be? It's for experts to determine. A trauma that hasn't been processed could resurface at any time, triggered by high stress levels or a similar situation. However, it can be tricky to process old wounds alone. That's precisely where therapists can make a big difference, helping your loved one to understand and manage their underlying pain.
Unfortunately, it can be tricky to talk openly to friends and relatives. A depressed mood can lead to dark thoughts, reproaches, and morbid intentions, which can be uncomfortable to share with close friends. On the other hand, a counsellor has the mental and emotional training to talk about it safely without getting personally involved.
Let them know about daily mental health boosts
Mental health fluctuates during the day. The food you eat, the people you see, the projects you work on, everything will affect your mental health. Being able to sustain challenges and retain a positive mindset needs practice. Talking to yourself offers a unique insight into your mind. Affirmations can be helpful.
But there are so many other solutions, such as using journalling as a day-to-day mood tracker. Indeed, a journal can provide a safe space to write down thoughts, improve self-confidence, monitor mood and energy levels, and take back control of emotions. You could recommend starting a journal to help with the management of depressive disorders, for instance.
Mental health challenges can affect everyone. Therefore, being able to embrace a form of talk therapy as a way out of depressive disorders can make a huge difference. But how do you talk your way out of depression? Whether you choose to converse about nothing and everything with a loved one or direct them to a therapist, it's up to you.
The best course of action if you think you might be depressed is to speak with your family physician, a psychiatrist, or a psychotherapist. If you're hesitant to see a doctor, search for "depression" or "clinical depression" on your phone or computer to get links to the PHQ-9 patient health questionnaire, a scientifically recognized depression exam (PDF). Even though it is intended to be given by a healthcare expert, this test is brief and simple. After taking it, you may see right away if your results suggest you could have depression.
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