IMPORTANCE OF A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR DEPRESSION
Source: Women Deserve Better
As with any physical illness or injury such as a broken limb, surgery, infection, or something comparatively less severe like the seasonal flu, mental health also requires a great deal of support to heal and overcome. A broken limb requires an emergency medicine specialist, an orthopedic surgeon, an anaesthesiologist, nurses and nurse practitioners, physical therapists, family, and friends (to name a few). Similarly, trying to overcome a mental health disorder such as depression also requires a team. In my experience, less significance is given to the support system required to overcome mental health disorders in comparison to physical illnesses. In this article, I want to stress the importance of a support system required in battling and overcoming a mental health disorder such as depression. I will also talk about what my support system looked like, who it comprised of, and how my support system helped me overcome the most challenging situation I’ve ever faced. Please note that the purpose of this article is not to provide medical advice but rather to simply share the author’s thoughts on the topic.
To form a support system of people you can lean on and fall back on, you first need to seek help. If you are not in a position to seek help because you’re blinded by your struggles, a close friend or family member may be able to reach out to you and offer a helping hand to be your support system. In order to seek help you first need to admit that you need help. I know that this is easier said than done.
The first step is opening up to someone you trust, like a close friend, family member, or confidant. This person should be empathetic and dependable, ready to support you through your darkest moments until you find your way out."You can discuss your options with this person and decide on a doctor to visit. For me, this was my mum. I was so blinded by my struggles (and probably too young) to realize that I needed help. Who can you reach out to be a part of your support system? Your family or friends perhaps?
Source: Intercoast Colleges
Reaching out to healthcare professionals is the second step. Without going directly to a psychiatrist, you might want to reach out to your pediatrician or physician and talk to them about what you’re going through. Your confidante can accompany you to your appointments if you’d like them to. Although temporary, this person is also a part of your support system. They may then be able to direct you to a psychiatrist who will be one of the most important people in your support system.
Your psychiatrist will be able to help you come up with a treatment plan that best suits your needs. They may also recommend that you visit a psychologist (therapist) who will provide you with tools to practice on a regular basis that will help you deal with what you’re going through.
Your doctor and therapist may also recommend that you try various other activities such as yoga, meditation, physical exercise, develop a hobby, or adopt a pet. These people (your yoga, meditation, physical training instructors, and pets) will also be included in your support system. If you feel comfortable, I would recommend that you talk to them about your struggles (including that you’re visiting a psychiatrist and psychologist) privately. This will make them understand your situation better and provide you with the best guidance they can provide. If you’re in school or university, talking to your teachers and professors privately is a good idea. It will help them guide you to the correct resources to help you further. In my situation, my parents first took me
to my pediatrician who directed us to a psychiatrist. After we devised my treatment plan, she directed me to my counselor. Additionally, I started horse riding and athletics. I received private tutoring from my tutors and my parents spoke to my school teachers privately to make them aware of my situation and what I’m going through. Therefore, my support system consisted of my parents and family, doctors and counselors, horse riding and athletics instructors, private tutors, teachers, and my four-legged friends (dogs and horses). Since all these people knew about my circumstances, they were able to cater personally to my needs. My counseling sessions and doctor visits helped me vent and relieve stress, my teachers made sure to provide me with (extra) personal attention by making me sit in front of the class next to their desks and checking up on me from time to time, my riding instructors and their horses helped me relax and build self-confidence, my family provided me with a sense of security and comfort, and my dogs provided me with comfort, a shoulder to cry on, and a friend with whom I can vent with. Do you have any hobbies you like to do during your free time? What are they? Make a list of your favorite activities and how they make you feel. Then think about how these activities can help you overcome your challenges. Thinking about how you can open up to your resources can help you talk to them about your struggles and seek help from them.
Having a support system ensures that you have someone to catch you and pull you back up when you fall. This is very important. Each of our circumstances and struggles is ‘Like No Other’ and therefore, our support systems will also be different as they need to cater to our specific needs. Ultimately, receiving the right guidance provided by the right people is important in battling a mental health disorder. What steps will you take to strengthen your support network? Feel free to comment your thoughts below!