Appropriate treatment can help ease symptoms of depression in patients, but it’s essential to monitor their conditions and responses to medications to get them feeling like their old selves again.
In general, remind patients that their negative feelings and attitudes are symptoms of their condition, and that positive thinking will replace negative thinking as they respond to treatment and their mood lifts. By doing this, you are acknowledging that you believe the person is depressed and is not faking it. In addition, this provides hope for the patient that things will get better.
You can also:
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Offer genuine emotional support: understanding, patience, affection, and encouragement
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Engage the depressed person in conversation and listen carefully
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Point out realities and offer alternatives
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Be nonjudgmental and accepting, and offer genuine praise
How do you lift patients up when they are feeling low?
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:09 pm
On the units that I manage we practice a Relationship Based Model of Care. During the admission process we get information related to the dynamics of the individual patient which includes hobbies, favorite pets, favorite movies, etc. When a person is feeling a little blue one the best ways to pick them up is to discuss one of their interests with them…..Try it and you will see a sparkle in their eyes.