Deep Depression – How To Find Help
Returning war survivors and military personnel may experience deep depression during the first year home. When this happens, it can effect family life, relationships, and many times their own safety. It becomes impossible to function in daily life. They may not want to admit anything is wrong and will not seek help. The deeper they sink, the harder it becomes to bring them back into a family unit or normal social life.
Finding a way to get a person to seek help begins with the family doctor. Trust is an issue for someone with this type of problem, so be gentle and reassure them you will not leave their side during the visit. They fear being put into a hospital or trapped somewhere they cannot escape from. This is not going to happen and you need to tell them if hospitalization is suggested, you will take them home. Most of the time medication is a good beginning and the trust will return enough to seek help from a counselor. You have to walk them from a robot stage to creating a daily routine of moving around, getting dressed, avoiding negative input from the news or video games, and making sure they eat well. The sooner help is provided the faster a person can return to a better life.
April 11, 2011
