5 Ways to Help Someone Struggling With Depression

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Watching someone you love struggle through depression can make you feel helpless: you want to offer support, but you feel unsure of how to help. With approximately 300 million people worldwide suffering from depression,1 many of us will at some point be close to someone experiencing this disorder. Although it may feel exasperating at times, with a little research and the right approach, there are some steps you can take to help.

1. Learn How to Recognize the Signs of Depression

Being able to spot the signs of depression will help you distinguish between who your loved one is and how their depression makes them act. This helps you take their behavior less personally, allowing you to better protect your own well-being. And, in turn, you can more supportive to them.

Common Characteristics of Depression2

  • Sleeping or eating more or less than usual
  • Low energy
  • Unexplained physical pain
  • Loss of interest in work, school, activities, or sex
  • Pervasive feelings of sadness, hopelessness and guilt
  • Talking about suicide

2. Express Your Concern

Though it may not be comfortable to bring up, the first step to getting help is to acknowledge that there’s a problem. Severe depression can be life-threatening,3 and people lost in its fog can’t see what others see. If you’re concerned about your loved one, kindly and compassionately let them know—it could be a vital step in the right direction.

3. Listen With an Open Heart

There’s a reason depression has been called the “disease of loneliness”4—depressed people often get labeled as “downers” and further isolated from their would-be support circles. But just like we care for loved ones struggling with any other ailment, we can do the same for someone who is struggling with depression.

Depression can be downright debilitating. Simply offering a listening ear, bringing over a hot meal or sitting with your loved on to watch a movie are great ways to show your support. Since this illness makes it difficult to express any positive emotions like gratitude or appreciation, you may feel like your kindness goes unnoticed. But the truth is that thoughtful deeds like these can give someone strength to get through the day.

It also puts you in the best position to encourage them to get help.

4. Encouraged Your Depressed Loved One to Get Proper Care

The good news is that depression is treatable.5 Because it’s such a motivation killer, the role loved ones play in getting a depressed person into treatment can’t be understated. Depression that remains untreated can get worse over time, so getting your loved one into treatment is paramount. And although setting boundaries with a depressed loved one6 is often easier said than done, it’s also equally important to protect your own physical and mental health in the process. Leaving the counseling up to the professionals is the best course of action, especially for severe depression.

5. Look Into Depression Treatment Options

Treatment comes in many different forms, including inpatient rehab for depression, which can yield great results. This can be a good option for people whose depression is more acute, or who weren’t happy with the outcomes of previous approaches they tried. Treatment methods for depression vary, but typically consist of some combination of medication, counseling, and holistic therapies.

To learn more about what programs are available and browse centers based on location, specialization, and more, visit our collection of luxury rehab centers specializing in depression.


Frequently Asked Questions

What are some ways to help someone struggling with depression?

You can help someone with depression by offering emotional support, listening without judgment, encouraging them to seek professional help, and promoting healthy habits like exercise and good sleep. Be sure to avoid making assumptions about their condition.

What should I do if someone I know is suicidal?

If you know someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts, it is important to take their statements seriously and seek professional help immediately. You can encourage them to call a suicide prevention hotline and accompany them to get emergency care.

Can You Go to Rehab for Depression?

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If you’re having serious thoughts about suicide or self-harm, immediate help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit their website to chat with an emotional support counselor

Did you know many luxury rehabs don’t just treat addictions, but mental health and mood disorders like depression, too? In fact, many people could greatly benefit from inpatient treatment for depression.

The seriousness of depression shouldn’t be underestimated—the prolonged feelings of sorrow depression causes can hinder your ability to be an active participant in your own life and make you feel hopeless, drained and physically unwell. Depression is a life-threatening mental illness1 and often requires professional help.

Could inpatient depression treatment be the right path for you? Following, we’ll take a look at

  • When to go to rehab for depression
  • Who benefits from inpatient depression treatment
  • Where to find residential treatment centers for depression

When Do You Need Inpatient Depression Treatment?

People choose to go to residential rehab for depression for a few reasons. These could have to do with the severity of their depression, feeling like they’ve exhausted other treatment options, or wanting a retreat-like atmosphere to reset.

Your primary care doctor or qualified mental health professional can help you determine if inpatient depression treatment is the right step for you. Following are some signs that it may help you consider a more in-depth approach to tackling this persistent condition.

When Depression Takes Over Your Life

Sometimes depression is manageable, but other times it’s downright unbearable. Some depression sufferers experience such profound sadness that they can’t think of anything else. This common mood disorder can weigh heavily on those who struggle with it, making it difficult to find joy or pleasure in anything. And in this context, even simple tasks like showering, cleaning the house, and grocery shopping can feel virtually impossible.

Other signs of severe depression that could be a cue to talk to a mental health provider include

  • Isolating yourself from friends and family
  • Inability to hold a steady job
  • Using drugs or alcohol to cope
  • Not leaving your house for days at a time
  • Dramatic weight loss or weight gain
  • Bouts of unexplainable sadness and crying
  • Hurting yourself
  • Thoughts or attempts at suicide

If depression interferes with your ability to function in your everyday life, you might find relief in the higher level of care and surrounding support that rehab provides.

When Other Therapies Haven’t Worked

For some people, conventional depression treatment methods just don’t do the trick. Treatment-resistant depression2 occurs in about 10-30% of those who are with diagnosed major depression. This means that even after first-line approaches like antidepressants and talk therapy, they may still experience thoughts of self-harm or suicide, find it hard to function, and be likely to relapse into another depressive episode.

However, other options are available. Several alternative therapies for treatment-resistant depression3 are shown to work effectively, including:

  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
  • Ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT)
  • Combined medication and psychotherapy

A number of inpatient rehabs are equipped with the professional staff and programming required to treat mental health and addiction comprehensively. This means they offer more opportunities to try different treatment options, including approaches that involve combining therapies.

If you’ve tried multiple medication strategies, or you’ve been in outpatient therapy for a long time without making significant progress, a more intensive option like a residential program rehab may help you make the change you’ve been looking for.

When You Need a Change of Scenery

Our surroundings have a huge impact on our mood, and environmental factors can affect the experience of depression. In fact, the WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse includes supportive environments in its recommendations for fostering mental health:4

“Mental health promotion involves actions that support people to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles and which create supportive living conditions or environments for health,” according to their report summary Promoting Mental Health: Concepts, Emerging Evidence, Practice.

Research also suggests that spending more time in nature can have a positive effect on mood disorders.5 Many residential treatment facilities are located in serene, naturally beautiful areas for just this reason.

Inpatient treatment offers a chance to step away from day-to-day life, which many people find makes them more receptive to change. It can also be a good option for anyone who wants a more immersive treatment experience, even if their depression isn’t especially severe.

How Rehab Can Help Depression

Residential depression rehab allows you to commit fully to your recovery for a period of time. For those who haven’t had success with more less structured treatment options, this could mean more potential to impact your relationship with yourself, and new opportunities to see different results.

Highly Individualized Programming

High-quality rehab programs are often designed to provide you with a fully customized treatment plan. This is based on thorough assessments you receive before and during the intake, or admissions, process. These centers usually have a wide array of therapeutic methods at their disposal, from individual and group psychotherapy to experiential and holistic approaches. Your team of clinicians—comprised of some combination of medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists and complementary therapists—can combine different elements into a treatment plan just for you. This is good news for your outcomes, as experts agree that depression treatment is more effective with a multifaceted approach.6

Sharing Your Experience and Learning From Others

One of the most difficult aspects of depression is the crippling loneliness it entails. At a rehab that treats depression, you’ll be with others who have been through what you’re going through and understand how you feel. You’ll spend every day in an environment of professionals who can help you unpack how you’re feeling and learn how to manage it. Knowing you’re surrounded by people who are working with you toward your success can give you a much-needed boost of affirmation and encouragement.

Gaining Lifelong Tools

Oftentimes, depression is a chronic condition.7 Developing an ability to cope with it and prevent it from recurring is an invaluable asset when struggling with this disorder. Intensive depression treatment helps you build a solid toolbox of coping skills you can reach into again and again, each time you need to, well after you leave treatment. These awareness tools may help you move through depression episodes more quickly, or experience them less intensely, if they do resurface.

Depression often feels like a merry-go-round you can’t get off. Stepping away from your familiar patterns and into a treatment-focused environment can provide a welcome break from the cycle and allow you to progress in new ways. Going to treatment pulls you out of that day-to-day slump and into a structured day built around your recovery.

Taking the Next Step

If depression has prevented you from fully living your life and you’ve exhausted other avenues, then a more intense, immersive option can be a good idea. Depression rehab isn’t punishing or harsh; you can think of it as a retreat that gives you the time and space to create change. For those struggling with depression, taking the step of seeking inpatient treatment may be necessary. Check with your healthcare provider or therapist to determine if this is the right recovery path for you.

Rising above your depression starts with reaching out for help. And finding a program that meets your needs can be the most healing experience of your life.

To learn more about available programs, see our searchable list of residential depression treatment centers.


Frequently Asked Questions About Residential Depression Treatment

Can depression be treated at a luxury rehab center?

Yes. Luxury rehabs offer evidence-based therapies like CBT and medication to help people with depression manage symptoms and achieve long-term recovery. Additionally, many luxury rehabs offer holistic therapies such as yoga, meditation, and massage therapy for a more comfortable treatment experience.

What’s the difference between inpatient and outpatient rehab for depression?

Inpatient rehab for depression involves living at a treatment center for a set period of time (usually from a few weeks to several months). In outpatient depression treatment, you receive treatment during the day and return home at night. Inpatient programs may be better if you have severe depression or require round-the-clock care, while outpatient treatment is good for those with milder symptoms or who have a strong support system at home.

What should I look for in a residential rehab center for depression treatment?

Look for a facility with experienced and qualified treatment teams that offer a range of evidence-based therapies to help manage symptoms and promote long-term recovery. Holistic healing approaches such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices can also be helpful. You might also consider the center’s amenities, accommodations and level of personalization.