HOW DOES IT FEEL?

Presented by I M Confident Niagara CanadaCreated by Brenda Silveira February 2010

www.imconfident.com

THIS IS A SPECIAL PRESENTATION ABOUT

MENTAL ILLNESS• The first presentation in the series is about

DEPRESSION

• It is for families and friends of people suffering from this illness

• The purpose of this presentation is to – help you understand the illness better – show you ways to help your loved one cope

with the illness

DEPRESSION

People with depression suffer from low self-esteem, dislike themselves and feel unhappy a lot.

The following slides will show you a few of the symptoms to watch for.

UNHAPPY, SAD, CRY EASY

NO ENERGY, WANT TO SLEEP, NO MOTIVATION

IRRITABLE, SHORT-TEMPERED, ANGRY

MISERABLE, WANT TO BE ALONE

INABILITY TO CONCENTRATE

FEEL LIKE THE WORLD IS CLOUD-COVERED

WORTHLESS, LIKE A FAILURE

UGLY, FAT, SELF-ACCUSING

HATE EXISTENCEHOPE TO DIE

ALL ALONE, HATED BY ALL

DEPRESSION IS A VERY CONTROLLING ILLNESS

It is extremely important to get medical help, so a proper assessment can be made.

With the correct medication, therapy and self help, it is possible to recover.

It is also important that family and friends emotionally support the person with the illness.

Without continuing, loving support – recovery is not always possible.

Here are some things you should and should not do to help your loved one.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER

• Tell them to ‘snap out of it’

• Tell them to stop hurting everyone else

• Tell them they are selfish

• Tell them they are lazy

• Tell them they are just looking for attention

• Tell them they are stupid

HERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO

SPEND SOME TIME TOGETHER

ENCOURAGE THEM TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS OR

JOIN A GROUP

BRING THEM SOMETHING SPECIAL

HELP THEM MAKE A SCHEDULE – A REGULAR ROUTINE AND KEEPING

BUSY IS HELPFUL

GIVE THEM A HUG AND TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM

I love you!

GET THEM TO VOLUNTEER WITH A LOCAL ORGANIZATION

Helping others raises self-esteem and builds confidence.

Some good ideas are

working with adults,

children or animals.

HELP THEM START OR RENEW A HOBBY OR

INTEREST

GO ON A VACATION OR JUST RELAX

GET THEM TO JOIN AN EXERCISE GROUP

WATCH FUNNY MOVIES WITH THEM AND LAUGH - LOTS

LOOK IN THE MIRROR WITH THEM AND HAVE THEM SAY

‘I LOVE YOU’ 10 TIMES

Tell them to do this at

least 3 times a day themselves.

ABOVE ALL, MAKE THEM FEEL LOVED AND WANTED

DEPRESSION CAN BE A DARK, LONELY, FEARSOME PLACE.

HELP US MAKE EVERYONE’S WORLD FULL OF COLOUR

LET’S ALWAYS TAKE TIME TO MAKE SURE WE SHARE OUR TIME AND TALENTS WITH OTHERS.

KEEP WORDS KIND, ACTIONS CARING AND TREAT EVERYONE AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED.

FAMILIES AND FRIENDS CAN CHANGE BLACK INTO COLOUR.