Gifts for Depressed People

• Know what kind of depression you are dealing with so you can know how better to help your friend or spouse with depression. The best way to know this is to ask them what kind of depression they are dealing with and do some research on it. This article provides you with sources where you can expand your knowledge on the matter.
• Once you know what kind of depression you are dealing with, you can now start shopping and giving your loved one gifts that are better suited for them.
• Suicide Prevention: If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person: Call 911 or your local emergency number. Stay with the person until help arrives. Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm.
• If you or someone you know is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

What is Depression?

Depression/major depressive disorder is a serious medical illness that affects the way that you feel, process, and (re)act with your emotions. The most common symptom of depression is relentless sadness, accompanied by other symptoms such as loss of interest in hobbies or activities you used to enjoy, or thoughts of harming yourself.. When a person is depressed, they may begin to neglect their life and responsibilities and this eventually affects their ability to function at work or school.

Depression symptoms can range from mild to severe  depending on the type of depression and the person it has affected. Some of the symptoms are:

• Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
• Losing interest in activities that once  gave you pleasure
• Losing or gaining weight unexpectedly without a diet
• Experiencing insomnia
• Losing energy and becoming extremely fatigued for no apparent reason
• Feeling worthless
• Having suicidal thoughts

Kinds of Depression: Below are some of the most common types of depression, for a full list and in-depth information on types of depression, click here. It is important to know what kind of depression your friend is dealing with for you to be able to get them the best gift that will help them through their depressive episodes.

Major depressive disorder: Is the most common mental disorder. Major depressive disorder can interfere with a person’s ability to do some things. For example, someone with this type of depression will find it extremely difficult to get out of bed in the morning (or at any given time) even when they really need to.

Prevalence of Major Depressive Episodes Among US Adults 2017)

Source: www.psycom.net

Persistent depressive disorder: Also known as dysthymia is a form of depression that is chronic in nature, meaning that it comes and goes and can last for longer or shorter periods of time depending on the severity of the trigger and how the depressed person is handling it. Someone with PDD may start avoiding social gatherings, be irritated by the smallest things, and have low self esteem. 

Seasonal depression: Also known as a Seasonal Affective Depression (SAD) because it often spikes during winter time. Most people with SAD will be alright most of the year and get depressed when winter comes.

Postpartum depression: This affects women who have just given birth and especially first-time mothers. PPD is characterized with these symptoms; mother feeling detached from baby, and mother experiencing extreme anxiety, among others.

Studies have shown that women are more susceptible to depression due to hormonal changes in their bodies, however, men who suffer from depression are more likely to commit suicide than their female counterparts.

How different types of depression affect men and women

Source: www.who.int

People More Susceptible to Depression 

About 41.9% of women and 29.3% of men have at some point in their lives suffered from depression, this means that at some point in your life, if you haven’t already, you will come in contact with someone who has depression. This article will guide you on what to do if someone you care about – a friend, lover, or family – gets depressed.

Getting a gift for someone with depression is one way of affirming their existence and making them feel loved and wanted. They will be grateful to you for thinking of them when they were down. So for whatever reason; your friend is feeling down, they are sad, or just because it’s Tuesday, these gifts will surely brighten up their day, and who knows it just might be the thing they needed to get them out of their slump.

Thoughtful Gifts for a Depressed Friend

These are gifts that are going to help your friend deal with depression because they will affirm to them that they are loved and have people who value them and want them around. 

1. SPA DAY:

Book your friend with depression a spa day. If it is a new mom struggling with PPD, getting them a spa treatment can have a very positive impact on their mood. You can either take them to a massage place or order-in a massage to be given in the comfort of their home, whatever they are most comfortable with. Mobile Spa provides in house spa treatments anytime and anywhere in the United States. 

2. QUALITY TIME:

If you can, go and spend the day with your depressed friend. This is perhaps the best gift you can give them because depressive episodes are the loneliest times a person feels, with no hope and daunting sadness. You don’t have to do much, just being there and letting them know you are there when they need you, to talk to or share anything with. You can just lay down with them, watch tv, or listen to their favorite podcast.

3. CLEANING SERVICE:

If you can’t afford to be there for your friend, this is the next best thing you can give them. Send a cleaning service to their house because chances are that your friend hasn’t gotten out of bed long enough to clean their house. Be sure to let them know that you have sent people over to clean and what time they should expect the cleaners to arrive.

4. RUN ERRANDS:

Do some work around the house for them. Mow their lawn, take out the trash, do their laundry, or wash the dishes. No matter how small a task, if you can do it for them, go-ahead

5. GETAWAY:

In cases of seasonal or minor cases of depression sometimes a change of scenery is all it takes. Book yourself and your friend a getaway to somewhere tropical where you can lay down under the sun and let go of everything else. Here are some fun things to do in a hotel room with friends 

6. THERAPY SESSION WITH SPECIALIST:

This is an especially amazing gift for someone dealing with depression in the early stages who hasn’t been diagnosed yet. Speaking with a professional will not only help them get the diagnosis and subsequent medication that they (may) need, but it will also give them someone to talk to, in a safe space, about things they might not be comfortable sharing with anyone else. You can also book them an online therapy session.

Gifts to Make Someone Feel Better