Help create a supportive and understanding environment. Learn the 7 effective ways to support sisters through depression and anxiety. 7 Ways to Support Sisters Through Depression and Anxiety
You may feel depressed about your favorite shoe store closing, but major depressive disorder (depression) is more than a fleeting feeling. Likewise, anxiety disorders cause more disruption to normal life than fretting about what to wear to the next DST event. Depression and anxiety are medical illnesses that make life difficult.
Chances are someone in your chapter is dealing with one or both of these disorders. This guide will help you understand what they are going through and how you can help.
What is Depression?
Depression is more than just feeling a little homesick or bummed about your favorite TV show being canceled. It’s even different from the blues or sense of loss you may experience with grief.
Depression is a feeling of sadness or emptiness that does not resolve. It can decrease your ability to function and your quality of life.
Symptoms of Depression
Common symptoms of depression include:
- Lack of interest in things that were once enjoyed
- Fatigue
- Loss of energy
- Feeling sad
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling empty
- Suicidal thoughts or ideation
- Sleeping more than usual
- Sleeping less than usual
- Decreased or increased appetite
- Feeling worthless
What is Anxiety?
Looking up at a roller coaster you are about to ride or dreading an impending deadline may make you feel anxious, but an anxiety disorder is a much bigger feeling. Anxiety disorders are repeated and intense feelings of anxiety or nervousness that disrupt everyday life.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Common symptoms of anxiety disorders include:
- A feeling of impending doom
- Nervousness
- Increased heart rate
- Sweating
- Trouble sleeping
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Breathing rapidly
- Tiredness
Seasonal Affective Disorder
As we head into the winter months, beware of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is when people start to feel down or depressed during the shorter, colder, and darker days of the winter. SAD can exhibit many of the same symptoms as depression. A healthcare provider or mental health professional can help diagnose and treat SAD.
How to Help
Handling depression and/or anxiety can be a difficult space to navigate. Having a sisterhood in your corner can make all the difference. Here are seven ways you can help if someone you love has anxiety or depression.
- Be prepared to call the new National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988. Trained mental health professionals on the other end will be able to walk you through the situation.
- Show up for your sister. and do it with more than the standard, “What can I do to help?” Instead of asking that, try one of these:
- I’m bringing you dinner tonight. What time can I stop by?
- I’m running to the grocery store. What can I grab for you while I’m out?
- I’m here to listen.
- I’m happy to help with _____. (Fill in the blank with gardening, mopping, laundry, childcare, or whatever you would be willing to do.)
- Is there anything that could make your situation easier?
- Let’s go get ice cream together. How about next Tuesday at 5?
- Exhibit genuine love for your sister. Depression and anxiety can make someone feel alone. A card, a small gift, or even just a text can bring sunshine on a dark day to someone.
- Encourage them to seek professional help. Depression and anxiety may require treatment with medications. Others might be due to an underlying health condition (such as an underactive thyroid). Communicating with a healthcare professional will help your sister with depression and/or anxiety to overcome her battles. A mental health professional is equally important.
- Gather information on local resources. When you’re in the throes of mental illness, it’s not easy to find your way out of it. Even finding a therapist can seem overwhelming. Find out what mental health resources your community offers and give your sister all the information she needs.
- Let them know you are there. If your friend is having suicidal ideations, she’ll be more likely to reach out to you for help if she knows you won’t judge her. The same goes for your friend who may need a listening ear to coax her through a panic attack. Listen to your sister without trying to fix her problem or judge whether she should or shouldn’t be reacting like she is. This will help her know that you are a safe confidante when she needs one most.
- Incorporate mental health into your chapter. Maybe your chapter could attend a mental health workshop together. Look into having a therapist come and speak to your chapter. Incorporate mindfulness and other healthy activities into your schedules to help anyone who might be struggling in silence.
Even if you don’t have personal experience with depression or anxiety, know that they are real. Don’t dismiss these feelings if someone opens up to you about them. These can’t just be wished or prayed away. Your friend may need intervention from a therapist, doctor, or other healthcare professional to feel good again.
I did not create LNO Greek just to manufacture Delta Sigma Theta para. I did it to help bind sisters together through the happy times and sad. Keep an eye out for sisters in need. And if you are dealing with depression or anxiety yourself, don’t feel guilty about being that sister in need. We all take our turn on the Struggle Bus. Seek out help from trusted sources. These illnesses are every bit as real as diabetes and heart disease so don’t delay treatment.
