Depression is a life-threatening illness for both patients and their relatives. Most patients think that their complaints can be improved with their own efforts. The thought that the drugs he will use is addictive, the fear of social stigma, the anxiety of not being understood may complicate the treatment. Relatives of patients may also have difficulty in understanding the disease without visible symptoms. The thought that the patient may commit suicide is another source of concern.
Depression is a life-threatening illness for both patients and their relatives. Most patients think that their complaints can be improved with their own efforts. The thought that the drugs he will use is addictive, the fear of social stigma, the anxiety of not being understood may complicate the treatment. Relatives of patients may also have difficulty in understanding the disease without visible symptoms. The thought that the patient may commit suicide is another source of concern.
Here are some suggestions for patients and their relatives who show signs of depression:
- Anyone who shows signs of depression should definitely be evaluated by a specialist. Medicines or other treatment methods prescribed by the specialist should be used in the direction recommended.
- Abrupt discontinuation of drugs on demand, increasing or decreasing the dose without expert advice seriously affect the effectiveness of treatment, and there is a high probability of side effects due to drug use.
- Every drug that you want or have to use together with antidepressant drugs should be used in consultation with the following specialist. Drug interactions can also sometimes have serious consequences.
- A healthy diet and exercise increase the effectiveness of the treatments you use, facilitate treatment, and improve your mood.
- You can share your feelings or illness with your loved one, family or peer groups verbally, in writing or visually. This sharing will help you deal with your problems.
- During depression, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs can worsen your illness, reduce the effectiveness of drugs, and cause side effects.
- If you have difficulties in your business life, you can get permission from your workplace during the treatment of your illness.
- If you are providing care to a relative, parent or child diagnosed with depression, you can get support by talking to others.
- If a relative of yours who has been diagnosed with depression has started talking about death-suicide, is preparing a will, if there are signs of self-harm or self-harm in some parts of the body, such as arms, legs, etc., the risk of suicide is high. In this case, seek help from an expert.
- If you have a relative who has been diagnosed with depression who is at risk of suicide, remove possible risk tools (chemicals, drugs, sharp objects, etc.) in the living area.