Companion guide for depressed patients: Avoid these 4 pitfalls, double the warmth

When people around us are shrouded in depressive emotions, we often feel at a loss - saying "open up" is afraid of being too perfunctory, and staying silent is worried about appearing indifferent. Actually, companionship is like holding a glass lamp, conveying warmth while being careful not to be burned by clumsy care.

1. Refuse the Invalid Comfort Formula

1. Don't bombard

with inspirational quotes. Classic lines like "you have to be strong" and "look at people who are worse off than you" are like asking someone with a broken bone to run for a depressed person. When feeling down, the brain's regulatory function is already imbalanced, and forcing positive energy actually exacerbates the self blame of 'I'm not good enough'.

2. Stop emotional comparison

Comparisons like "I survived even worse back then" can make the other person feel pain and be underestimated. Depression is not a willpower competition, try to replace it with "I may not fully understand, I hope I listen to you."

2. Beware of overprotection traps

1. Don't make all the decisions for them.

Helping depressed people order takeout and cancel social activities may seem considerate, but it actually deprives them of a sense of control. You can ask 'Do you want to choose your own lunch today, or do you need me to recommend a few options?' to retain the power of choice and awaken a sense of value.

2. Avoid 24-hour monitoring.

Asking "How are you?" every hour can cause additional stress. It's better to agree to "come to me anytime you need it" and leave a night light in the living room to convey a sense of security than repeatedly knocking on the door to check.

3. Breaking the Shame Curse of Disease

1. Not saying that "it is only when you are too idle that you become depressed"

attributes depression to laziness, which is equivalent to telling diabetes patients that "you eat too much sugar". It can be explained that this is related to serotonin secretion, just like a cold that requires rest.

2. Stop pathological attribution

Arbitrary conclusions such as "it must be caused by your staying up late/heartbreak" can lead patients into excessive self reflection. It's better to say "many factors may affect it, let's slowly sort them out".

4. Rebuilding communication connection points

1. Replace questioning with action

Instead of "how are you feeling today", it's better to silently brew a cup of hot tea and place it next to you. During the depressive period, language expression is often hindered, and watching the same sunset together can sometimes be worth a thousand words.

2. Create a safe environment for confiding.

In low stress scenarios such as walking or solving puzzles, the other person is more likely to open up. Remember not to rush to give advice, the key is to say 'I'm listening'. Accompanying depressed individuals is like walking in a dark forest, we don't need to be saviors holding torches. Sometimes, just quietly proving that 'you're not alone' is the most resilient force in itself. If it is found that the other party continues to experience sleep disorders, refusal to eat, etc., it is a responsible choice to contact a professional doctor in a timely manner.