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Loading ...How do you help a family member who refuses to get treatment for depression?
I have a family member who suffers from depression, but refuses to admit it or seek treatment. How do I help him?
Posted in 1896 | 
Tags: depression, family, family member, member, treatment, treatment for depression
2 Responses to “How do you help a family member who refuses to get treatment for depression?”
As with many diseases, you can’t force the person afflicted to seek help. The best you can do is educate yourself and find your own support network. An organization like Families for Depression Awareness may be able to help you find coping strategies, as will the books referenced below.
Good luck.
http://www.familyaware.org/,
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312263325/103-9111755-4318241?v=glance&n=283155, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0874776953/103-9111755-4318241?n=283155,
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060927828/103-9111755-4318241?n=283155,
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I was a person who refused for a long time to see the symptoms of my own depression, because I thought it meant that there was something “wrong” with me. Eventually, I read a magazine article that listed common symptoms, and realized I had most of them. That was a big wake-up call. Talking to other people who had been through the same thing helped me a lot. If you can get your relative in touch with anyone you know who has been through it, it will be more effective than nagging. (Not suggesting you are a nag.)
Definitely educate yourself about symptoms, treatment, etc. Just the fact that you are asking is great, because it shows concern. Make sure that your relative is aware that you love him/her and just want to help. Support is the greatest med.
http://www.familyaware.org/,
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312263325/103-9111755-4318241?v=glance&n=283155, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0874776953/103-9111755-4318241?n=283155,
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060927828/103-9111755-4318241?n=283155,
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