“This is one of the most difficult things you can experience. Be honest with your parent: Tell them that you’re concerned about their well-being and that you think a health care professional’s opinion might be helpful. Encourage your mom or dad to talk with their doctor if they’re feeling depressed, because there are options for resolving the issue. This means it’s often treatable and manageable. “Does the doctor know how you’re feeling?”ĭepression is a very real illness. That’s why reminding your parent that you’re there to talk with them if they want to, or gently suggesting that they talk with a health care professional, is a good idea. Remember: Mom or Dad might not want to talk about their depressed mood, but just having the option can be helpful. These basic activities can prove nearly impossible for someone suffering from depression. You might even suggest doing a few simple tasks, like helping with yard work or getting their groceries. More than just telling your parent that you’re there for them, ask what you can do specifically to help them. Being physically present to actively help might remind them that they are not alone. Even something as simple as getting out of bed might be daunting when your mom or dad is depressed. What can I do?”ĭepression can make even the most mundane tasks harder. This can be very frustrating, but you can still let your parent know how much you care. No matter how much you want to help, you can’t control someone else’s feelings. Keep in mind that not everything you say is guaranteed to make an impact. The fact that you’re there telling them otherwise might make a difference. Just letting Mom or Dad know that you care about what they’re going through may be the first step to a wider discussion. Someone with depression might feel that they don’t matter to anyone in the world. It’s one of the simplest things you can say, but often one of the most effective. However, there are a few things you can say that will, at the very least, help to express how much you love them and care about their well-being. And it’s important to realize that you can’t force your mom or dad to open up about their feelings if they don’t want to. Not everyone with depression will want to talk about it. Let’s take a closer look at these scenarios so that you can be better equipped if you think your mom or dad is depressed and how you might gently approach the idea of getting them properly assessed for depression.

There are also a few things that aren’t helpful and might be wise to avoid.

Generally speaking, there are some helpful ideas on what to say to someone who is depressed. So, what should you say if you think your mom or dad is depressed? While there isn’t a single best approach, you might want to consider simply being direct and honest. Too many caregivers fret over the right or wrong things to say to their depressed family member. In fact, studies show that life satisfaction among Canadian seniors is actually higher than that of younger people. It’s true that depression is common among older adults, but it’s not a normal part of aging. Research has shown that elderly adults may be more likely to become depressed if there are certain risk factors involved like genetic predisposition or other medical conditions, such as heart disease or cancer. Some symptoms might include tiredness, irritability, trouble sleeping, and an inability to complete the small tasks of daily life, like eating or bathing. What does depression look like in older adults? The symptoms of depression in older adults aren’t always easy to spot, and may be mistaken as just a normal part of getting older. It might also lead to a variety of emotional and even physical problems. The disorder can affect how a person feels, thinks, and behaves. It’s even more difficult when that person is your mom or dad.ĭepression is defined as a mood disorder that causes a persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities that one used to enjoy. Depression is a major part of mental illness, and it’s never easy knowing what to say to someone who is depressed. Mental health is a complex and, unfortunately, often misunderstood subject.

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