For you as a carer

For your loved one

Tips on how to support

You may think your loved one is being unenthusiastic, negative and trying to bring the mood down.

Your loved one may no longer find pleasure in everyday things. They may feel dulled and flat.

Validate your loved one's feelings on how difficult it must be to feel that way. Remind them that they may find enjoyment in activities once again, if they do their best to keep active.

Your loved one is not talking to you and you may feel rejected and hurt and like you cannot get through to them.

Your loved one may find it difficult to communicate, because their feelings are confusing and painful and they lack energy.

Let your loved one know that you are available to talk to them when they are ready. Make use of silence in the conversation because it may take them a little while to feel confident to speak.

Your loved one is not getting out of bed, and you wonder why they are being so lazy and self-indulgent.

Your loved one feels as though their energy has disappeared and one of the hardest tasks may be getting out of bed.

Support them to find a meaningful activity/task that may help them get out of bed. Some days the thought of having a nice hot chocolate might be enough to encourage someone out of bed. Other days it may take a bit more creative thinking to help them find something to motivate them.

Your loved one has a tendency to be focused on themselves and their problems and you may see this as selfish.

Your loved one may feel hopeless, guilty and unworthy. Your loved one might be grieving over the life they have lost (or never had).

Help your loved one find a practical step to take towards living by their values and increasing their sense of hope e.g. going for a walk, or joining a group.

You may be wondering what your loved one has to be depressed about, their life seems fine.

Your loved one is experiencing a medical condition that has caused them to feel this way. They need support to get through this, just like someone would need support to manage their diabetes.

Encourage your loved one to speak to a doctor about how they are feeling. Offer to drive them to the appointments and encourage them to write down what they might say in preparation for the appointment.