Living with someone who suffers from clinical depression can be frustrating, upsetting and stressful. The person can't just "snap out of it," and probably needs professional treatment in order to reduce her symptoms of depression. Whether the person is your roommate, spouse, partner or friend, there are things you can do to make the situation easier on yourself and for the person you're residing with. Know that the road to recovery is often long and bumpy, so practice patience whenever possible.
Step 1
Let the person know that you think she's suffering from depression if she hasn't already received a diagnosis and hasn't gotten treatment, because she may not be aware that she's depressed, reports MayoClinic.com. The signs of clinical or major depression include issues eating and sleeping, sad or irritable mood, trouble concentrating, feelings of hopelessness, loss of pleasure and substance abuse, according to HelpGuide.org.
Step 2
Encourage him to get professional treatment. Depression is a serious mental illness that can be treated with medication and counseling. Your roommate, partner or friend needs to get help from a mental health professional such as a social worker or psychologist, and he may need to see a psychiatrist for medication. If you don't know where to start looking for a therapist, ask your primary care physician for recommendations. Set up the first appointment for him and take him there.
Step 3
Take care of yourself. You can easily experience burnout if you're trying to take care of someone suffering from clinical depression, yourself and your household. You'll need all the energy you can get, which means you should try to fit in at least 20 minutes of exercise each day, get seven to eight hours of sleep at night and eat healthfully.
Step 4
Get support. Ask your friends and family members for help, and give them specific examples of ways to help you. For instance, you might ask them to bring dinner for a week, so you can have a break from cooking. You could ask a friend to pick up your dry cleaning or walk your dog in the evening. Join a support group for loved ones of depressed people or get individual counseling for yourself. If you're financially capable, pay someone to clean the house, so you have the time and energy to help the person suffering from depression.
