You can't do it alone

Depression is not a sign of weakness. Strong people fall into it.

Sometimes, saying you are depressed, will volunteer enough symptoms to confirm easily the accuracy of their own self-diagnosis. If not, a few simple questions will quickly confirm the diagnosis:

1. How long have you felt this way? 
2. Do you wake up every morning feeling impossible? 
3. Is every little decision a major burn out to you these days? 
4. Do you find that you cannot make yourself do the simplest household chores, that you used to do easily? 
5. Do you hate yourself for it and sink further? 
6. Do people tell you to cheer up, and you don't know-how, and then hate yourself for hating them?

Often, most depressives will unhesitatingly say, "Oh, yes," to all or most of these questions, grateful that you understand.

"Depression seldom hits as severely those who have the gift of tears or the ability to rage. It is the stoic, the philosophic controlled ones who unwittingly add fuel to later fires of depression."

Nice people around us become depressed over losses and griefs more often than people who can vent things out. Quiet, disciplined people determined not to hurt, not ever to bother or be a burden, are the people to watch after a loss. It is these who can slip most often into depression, though aggressive people can too.

You can't do it alone. How can you recognize the signs of depression of relatives and friends?

1. Encourage the person to talk, to get it off their chest.
2. Draw the person into sharing.
3. Change things. Break treadmill routines. Have some fun. 
4. Get into a prayer meeting. (Before depression sets in). 
5. Take the person to a counselor or a prayer minister or a therapist.
6. Give the person lots of warm affection, and affirmations. 
7. If some family members are part of the problem, find a little space and time away from them for the potential depressive.

People nearing a depressive state need large doses of quiet nature before it's too late. Some may have been frightened in a storm or depressed even more by nature's quietness. Know what is good for each, and apply it.

Learn practical steps to help a depressed loved one or a friend. They will be thankful that you did. Here is a clip on what not to say to someone who has depression and what to say instead;