What it Really Means to Support a Loved One Through Depression or Anxiety

Knowing what to do or say to a loved one facing depression or anxiety can be difficult. You likely want to help, but may not know how. Depression and anxiety are mental health diseases that can be tricky for anyone to navigate. Here are suggestions on how to support a loved one through depression or anxiety.

1. Learn About Their Condition

A woman sits on a settee indoors, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees and her hands against her forehead, appearing deep in thought or distressed. She is silhouetted by light coming through large curtains.

Knowledge is power, especially when it pertains to mental health. If you haven’t been a victim of long-term depression or anxiety, how can you know how to best show up for your loved one? Even still, everyone experiences these mental health disorders differently. What worked for your coworker may not necessarily work for your sibling, friend, or partner who is struggling.

Learning about their condition will help you better connect with them and their unique needs. You’ll have a better sense of how you can best show up for them while also understanding what they may be feeling or experiencing on an everyday basis. Reading articles and books, listening to podcasts, and chatting with healthcare professionals can also erase any stigmas you might have about the conditions. You’ll be able to acknowledge and validate their feelings, perhaps even recommending daily practices to improve their lives.

Of course, when it comes to learning about their condition, the best thing you can do may be to listen to their personal experiences. Asking open-ended questions can be a good start to coaxing them to talk about their emotions. Over time, you’ll be building a support system by showing respect and care for each other with these deeper, meaningful conversations. This can help your loved one feel less isolated and alone, knowing they can come speak to you no matter what they’re going through.

2. Foster a Healthy Environment

For your loved one to thrive, both their physical and social environment need to be well thought out. A clean, organised home can keep anxiety at bay, while a structured routine can help them know what to expect next. A morning routine that starts with journaling and a gratitude practice, followed by a healthful breakfast and a walk outside, is a great way to begin the day. Encouraging these types of nourishing behaviours can create a positive living situation for everyone in the household.

In terms of a social environment, it can be beneficial to have daily check-ins with your loved one. This may mean making time for connection during dinner, turning off the television, putting the phones and devices away, and speaking from the heart. Or maybe you help set up a weekly outing with friends, something your loved one can look forward to throughout the week. Relationships, whether romantic or friendships, provide a sense of belonging and emotional support.

If you’re unable to provide a healthy, safe, supportive environment for your loved one, it may be time to look at treatment centres. Inpatient or outpatient treatment centres can be the next best step in a loved one’s recovery. Trained and licensed practitioners at depression treatment centers in Utah will create unique treatment plans, ensuring they are cared for at each step of the day. Allowing others to take care of your loved one doesn’t mean you’re giving up; it’s simply advocating for their needs and being there upon their return home.

3. Be Nonjudgmental with Your Support

A woman sits on a sofa with her knees drawn up and arms crossed over them, head resting on her arms, appearing distressed or upset in a dimly lit room.

There will likely be occasions when you want to throw your hands up in the air and give up. Maybe your loved one has spent all weekend in their bedroom, scrolling through social media and streaming a show on their laptop. Maybe they get stuck ruminating over the “what ifs” of a particular situation at school or work, to the point where they won’t talk about anything else. Or maybe they’re just being non-responsive to anything you say or do, regardless of how hard you’re trying.

Know that all of these situations don’t make you a bad caretaker, spouse, friend, or family member. Your loved one is having a particularly difficult time, so try your best to be nonjudgmental in what you say or do toward them. Although you may feel like bursting into their room and taking away their phone or screaming at the top of your lungs when they leave another dish in the kitchen sink, take a beat. Your actions and words can directly impact how your loved one feels and how or if they may come to you in the future.

In these moments, your best course of action is to offer both emotional and practical support. Avoid trying to “fix” them by dismissing their feelings or actions. Instead, offer to help with daily tasks and chores, such as running errands to the store and cooking dinner. Ask if they want to join you on a walk or even just join you in the living room to watch a show together. These actions, although small, can make a big impact on your loved one’s recovery journey.

Final Tips

You’ll never be able to fully comprehend the depths of what your loved one is experiencing with their depression and/or anxiety. However, you can help by learning about their condition, creating a healthy home situation, and being patient. And don’t be afraid to reach out or suggest professional help. Therapists, counsellors, and healthcare professionals can fill in the gaps with your loving support, giving them the treatment they need to manage their disease.

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