\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Read through our tips below, and you'll know exactly how to care for your circle in good times and in bad. ; Suggest seeking help from a professional. - Murray Gell-Mann. How to Help Someone When They're Sad - The New York Times Thats what I did when I gave up chocolate. Its very rare that comparisons from your personal experience will help, especially with something as serious as addiction. It will make a huge difference in how they see themselves and how other people view them too! 2. How have you been doing? Let your friend let off some steamthey may have been waiting for this moment to unload everything on their mind. If your friend or loved one is having suicidal thoughts, they may feel like theres no point to living or that their life is already over. If the person you care about thinks it might help to talk with others who are going through similar things, you could even help them find a support group. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Offer a chocolate bar? How to Comfort Someone Who's Sad/Crying - The Art of Manliness Mark Zuckerberg has unveiled Threads, a clone of Twitter designed to lure people turned off by the social network's changes under owner Elon Musk. Inspired? Words play a powerful role in shaping peoples emotions because humans are such a social species. How To Comfort Someone With Depression (By Someone With - Miss Misery That must have been really tough. Its okay to be sad sometimes everyone needs a break sometimes from being happy. 5. Depression: Supporting a family member or friend - Mayo Clinic How to Be Emotionally Supportive: 13 Tips, Tools, and Strategies Take time every day to do something that makes you happy it doesnt need to be anything big! I can drive you somewhere if you need me, or I can help by bringing food over, for example. It inadvertently sends the message that theyre overreacting, which, paradoxically, only makes them more emotional. Comforting someone when you are the reason they need comforting is a bit of a different ballgame than comforting a friend going through a breakup, for example. Best 10 Ways To Comfort Someone 1. I always liked hearing your stories about his antics and hope you continue to keep telling them.. On the other hand, spending time with you will always make your friends happy! But Im here for you. If youre with them, stay until help arrives. For this kind of situation, a person's feelings might be too complicated and overwhelming for them to open up at first but you can help them. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. . It can be hard to know the right thing to say when consoling a friend who is feeling down, but its important to remember that just being there for them is often more helpful than trying to come up with the perfect words. 1. Sometimes "I'm here for you" can seem like it's not enough to express how much you feel for them. Open with phrases like, "'I've been thinking about you and wondering how you are,' 'I care about you and want to be here for you,' and 'Is there any special way I can support you right now that I might not be aware of?'" The world can seem so dark when everything feels like its crashing in on you; but when the sun shines again, dont forget that there will always be someone there for you. According to psychotherapistMegan Bruneau, M.A., things like "eye contact, genuine and warm facial expressions, and your tone of voice" are all things to keep in mind. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You can remind your loved one that youre here for them, and that depression is a very common mental health condition many people experience it and have gotten through it. I want to be here for you, in whatever way helps you the best. You could even say, Im going to be checking on you more, then commit to calling or making plans with her on a regular basis. Researchers have found that people give cues as to what they want based on the words they use. You mean well, you really do. Helping Someone with Depression - Healthline According to Oxford online dictionary, depression is "feelings of severe sadness and melancholy ." wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. AVOID THIS: Youre too good for them anyway. Or I always thought theyd be the type to cheat. Focus your efforts on supporting your friend in a positive way, not cutting down their ex. Depression often makes us feel were worthless, like theres no point to anything, or that were unlovable. Her study found that people who tended to provide problem-solving advice to others also preferred to receive that form of advice when they were upset. Eagleson C, et al. One way to help get the conversation going is to ask the person how they are feeling. Were going to fight this together. Maybe your friends child is the one suffering or being treated at a rehabilitation center: You might say, I care about you and am here to listen if you need to talk. One more thingaddiction is a sensitive topic. Just having someone to vent to may be enough. Validation was the clear winner. "The first step is to stay curious and ask how someone is feelingandmake sure they are open to being comforted," she explains, adding that some people use co-regulation to soothe themselves, whereas others prefer to regulate on their own without the presence of others. Theres a light at the end of the tunnel you just have to keep going. If your friend or loved one is feeling like theyre a burden or unworthy of your love, it can help to remind them that youre going to be there for them, always not just when things are going well. According to Bruneau, "The most important component of active listening is empathy: a nonjudgmental verbal acknowledgment of one's feelings." Thats a small glimpse of the pain of addiction. Try not to fix this for your friend. Willie B. Thomas/Getty Images. I'm just a phone call away if you ever need anything. Be sincere. What they're looking for instead is simple acknowledgement and empathy. Sometimes it seems like everything is going wrong. Last Updated: December 8, 2022 Due to stigma, many people still dont talk about mental health issues, which might lead your friend or loved one to feel even more alone. But you can also have a great impact on their recovery. But Threads likely won't get all members of the biggest boyband in the world on its platform. Here are some comforting paragraphs you can send to a friend who feels sad to brighten their day and encourage them: Related: 60 Best Self-Care Ideas For Stress Relief. SHOW YOU CARE: Your friend will need different things at different times, from support during the initial shock to shopping for a nourishing diet to getting dog-walking help on days she feels weak. Depression causes feelings of shame and hopelessness. Pull in their garbage cans on trash day. In fact, around 280 million people live with depression, according to the World Health Organization. When the representatives told the upset customers to calm down or relax, the customers typically became angrier. Perhaps a friend is in denial about an abusive relationship and you want to help them recognize the gravity of the situation. Dr. Just let me know what you need. Its okay to feel sad sometimes, but dont forget how good you have it in the meantime. I have so much faith in your strength and resilience. Im here for you if you need anything, even if its just to talk about your feelings. Everyone is going to come around in their own time at their own pace, so try to be patient and understanding. How to Cheer Someone Up Over Text: Tips + 21 Example Messages Please dont forget how much your friends care about you even when things are tough. But so many depression treatments exist, so reminding the person you care about of this and helping them seek help if they need it can make a huge difference. Practice active listening, and back up all the things they're telling you. 60 Best Self-Care Ideas For Stress Relief. Read this next: 6 Signs your spirit guides are speaking to you in your dreams. Just let her cryjust hold her hand. Good night. Share depression resources. I can't begin to imagine what you're going through. AVOID THIS: Are you off your meds again? Or Cheer up! When someone we love is dealing with depression, we want to help but might not know where to start. Part of staying focused is not daydreaming either. Someone you love is struggling with addiction. Knowing how to apologize correctly is the first step. If you're not very close to the individual, this is the best way to let them know you're thinking of them. Also, don't be sitting there trying to think about what you want to say next. Too many people with clinical depression feel alonea state that only worsens their condition. We can grab a chai afterward.. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Heres to lasting love! You dont need anyone else in order to feel better about yourself; just look at all of the amazing qualities you have!