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How To Help Someone With Depression?

Having a family member with depression necessitates that you know more about depression so that you can recognize the severity and arrange for help if required. Moreover, these patients need constant encouragement for compliance with medication. They also need to be heard and not judged. To achieve all this, the caregiver must endeavour a lot of patience with the family member.

Knowing About Depression

It is a complex condition. Several risk factors have been identified namely genes, hormone levels, environmental triggers, some medicines, death of a loved one, physical or emotional abuse. A circumstantial nervousness or sadness is not depression. However, when it lasts longer than two weeks, and the person is not able to overcome it, medical help should be sought.

Typically, depression includes these symptoms – feelings of sadness, emptiness or hopelessness. At times, the person feels like crying profusely otherwise may keep getting angry and irritated over petty things. They may become restless and anxious or sluggish and feel lost. They often may complain of physical pains of some or the other kind. The person may be disinterested in any activity even the one which is of his or her interest. The person may frequently feel tired and fatigued. They either have problems falling asleep or sleep too much. Likewise, they overeat or don’t like eating at all which may lead to weight gain or weight loss. There is a deep-rooted feeling of being unimportant or good for nothing or some guilt for some incidents in the past that they are not accountable for. They find it difficult to concentrate, become indecisive and forgetful. They may have unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches.

If the condition remains untreated or neglected, it may worsen, and the patient may have suicidal thoughts or even attempt suicide. Since the condition has many faces to it, awareness and education regarding the disease are essential for the patients’ family members.

Also Read About: Different Types of Depression

Be there for your friend and let them do the talking. Encourage them to talk about their illness, but don’t try to offer any immediate solutions. Your support is the most important thing that you have to offer. If a person is very depressed, it is important that they seek professional advice.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Ways That May Help You To Support Your Depressed Family Member

Firstly, as soon as you become aware of the condition strike a conversation with the person. Listen to what he or she has to say. Don’t judge them or give negative opinions. Let them know your observations and that you are concerned. If the person is not aware, convince him or her that depression is a condition that needs expert advice and treatment and that it is vital to see one. The person should be assured that the condition may not go away on its own and needs treatment. Once he agrees to visit a doctor, get the person to jot down his feelings and status of mind so that it is easier for him to explain to the doctor. If possible accompany the person to the doctor. Most of the times doctors also need inputs from the family regarding their behavioural patterns.

When the treatment starts, keep a quiet tab on the use of medicines. Initially, you may have to give the medication yourself to the patient. Gradually as the patient feels better, he gets more convinced that he needs the medication. After that, you can rely on him for taking his medicines and appropriate, timely refills.

Engage the person in activities that he or she used to like normally. Experiment on activities that lift their mood and keep those that put them off away. Stay around or ensure someone is around always. Don’t keep brooding over their condition with your other family members, friends, and relatives that may worsen their feeling of guilt or further frustrate them. Help them to make certain decisions or complete certain tasks that they find difficult without them losing their confidence.

Also Read About: Treatment for Depression – Therapy, Medication & More

Severe Depression

Sometimes the person’s condition may worsen, and he or she may have a suicidal tendency. They would generally start talking negative things and about their wish of living no longer. They may even make multiple calls to people and talk as their last. They may start giving away things even the ones they loved. Would be wanting to be left alone. You must pick these hints and seek medical help.

As a precautionary measure, get rid of all things that the person can use to inflict self-harm. Don’t leave the person alone. Whenever you are in such a situation, seek help from an emergency and have people around to help in case something goes out of your control. Seek medical help immediately. You may have to hospitalize the patient for further treatment and care.

Also Read: Clary Sage Oil: Unlocking Its Research-Backed Benefits and Uses

Conclusion

The condition does improve with appropriate treatment, though it may take time. So most importantly one needs to keep one’s spirits high and remain hopeful and calm.

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.

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Know The Self-Help Tips As A Cancer Caregiver!

Knowing and understanding the disease generally prepares one to manage things better. When your near one is diagnosed with cancer, initially it may be a denial phase for both of you, followed by acceptance. Accepting the facts is essential so that you can work towards taking care of the patient and his or her treatment.

Knowing About Cancer and its Treatment as a Cancer Caregiver

What to Expect

As a cancer caregiver, it will be helpful for you to understand the disease condition and more importantly the stage at which the disease was diagnosed, the various tests and investigations that are advised by the doctor. This is important because the stage of the disease determines the kind of treatment the doctor would recommend. Based on the prescribed treatment, hospital stay, number of visits, side-effects, expenses, etc. will be decided. At times, surgery may be recommended followed by chemotherapy or radiation or vice versa.

Understanding Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy includes administration of various medicines to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Radiation also helps to kill the cancer cells. If either of these is given before surgery, its objective is to reduce the size of the tumor to make it operable. If given after surgery, it aims to eliminate residual cancer cells, if any. Some cancers may need multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation cycles.

Also, before each chemotherapy cycle, various laboratory investigations (diagnostic tests) may be required. This is important so that the doctor can decide whether the patient can tolerate the next chemotherapy cycle. If the results are unfavorable, the cycle may be postponed, and the patient may be kept under observation.

Sometimes the patient may have to be managed at the hospital after the treatment cycle is administered due to side effects of the anticancer medicines or radiation. Radiation or chemotherapy weakens the patient badly, and they need full-time care as well as motivation to carry on. As a cancer caregiver, it is vital to never lose hope even in sad moments.

Giving care and support during this time can be a challenge. Many caregivers put their own needs and feelings aside to focus on the person with cancer. This can be hard to maintain for a long time, and it’s not good for your health. The stress can have both physical and psychological effects. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of others.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

How You Can Support Your Family Member with Cancer

Sometimes more than the diseased, you may feel the brunt of the treatment. Also, you may think that the initial cycles are taking a toll on the patient’s health. Do not get disappointed or lose hope. Do not hold the treatment. Your doctor is the expert who would give appropriate advice.

As a cancer caregiver, this what you need to remember:

  1. Since the patients undergoing cancer treatment suffer from fatigue and other severe side effects, they usually become irritable. Be patient with them, don’t get stressed because it will do no good to either of you.
  2. Understand the patient’s condition and try to remain calm.
  3. If the patient is conscious and responding, read their favorite book to them, play some soft music or let them watch some funny things on television.
  4. There could be certain diet restrictions, follow them as advised. You may also want to check if their favorite food is allowed, if yes try arranging the same.
  5. Whenever possible take them for a walk or around in a wheelchair so that they do not feel confined to their hospital bed or room. However, this should be as per the doctor’s advice as they have a risk of catching an infection easily and are advised against going in crowded places.

Self-help as a Cancer Caregiver: How Would You Help Yourself?

  1. Usually, a caregiver’s health is affected since they ignore themselves, stretching beyond the capacity to manage everything on their own. To take good care of the patient you need to be healthy. If possible, outsource the daily household chores.
  2. You need to eat well and stay fit. Take at least a 15-20 minutes break from all the work for yourself and relax. Ask for help or call over someone to take care of the patient for short periods so that you can take a break.
  3. Try to remain positive, hopeful and relaxed. Since the patient is already having a difficult situation looking at a sullen caregiver may further depress the patient.
  4. Talk to people around who are in similar situations and share your worries; you may find some comfort and feel a little relieved having discussed certain problems. Sometimes you may find some ideas which may help you deal with the patient’s side effects.
  5. Though it is easier said than done, maintain a positive attitude towards the treatment planned and explain the treatment process to the patient. Reassure that the doctor has offered the best advice and you two together with the rest of the family will make it work and get back to life.

Also Read: Exploring the Link: What Type of Cancer Causes Low Hemoglobin Levels?

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.

How To Care For Someone With Alzheimer’s?

Importance Of Having An Alzheimer’s Caregiver

Having a family member with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) necessitates that you know more about the condition.

Knowing About Alzheimer’s Care And Disease

The disease initially and primarily affects the memory of the affected person. As the disease progresses other mental abilities like reasoning, decision-making, language, judgment is also affected.

Initially, the disease starts with mild symptoms of defects in the thought process. However, not all who suffer from cognitive difficulties develop AD. Based on the severity of the symptoms, the disease may be graded as mild, moderate or severe. Also, the disease may progress at a different pace in each affected individual.

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Guide

Ways That May Help You To Support Your Family Member With AD

After confirmation of diagnosis, the patient is prescribed certain medicines. These medicines do help the patient by improving cognitive function. The doctor may also prescribe some medication to manage other symptoms like anxiety or aggressiveness. Compliance with the medication is essential to control the signs of the condition. The patient should be taken for periodic re-assessment of the disease.

In the initial or milder stage the patients generally repeatedly ask the same question or describe the same event again and again. They may forget the occasion they recently attended or the discussion they had. They also may tend to lose track of time or the day or week or month. They have difficulty remembering small things like spelling their name correctly. They tend to isolate themselves and demonstrate a lack of interest in anything. Due to the tendency of forgetting activities like banking, cooking, shopping, teaching become routine life becomes challenging. They may forget the usual way home from the office or nearby locations, so driving becomes difficult.

Since the patient may never accept that they have been diagnosed with AD, it is futile to convince them about it. Instead, the family members should focus on ways to tackle the newer problems that they anticipate due to the patient’s condition.

One may have to make alternative arrangement for the responsibilities the patient used to handle otherwise. Support may also be required to take the patient around to the doctor or for a walk or help with daily activities. Monitoring and ensuring the safety of the patient is necessary because they may unintentionally harm themselves, for example, they may use a knife as a comb or boil oil instead of milk for drinking. They may lose their way and be unable to reach back home.

In moderate cases, the patient may ask the same thing more repetitively, become restless or may suffer from unusual fears like fear of reading or bathing. Co-ordinated activities start getting affected like eating or simple activities like combing hair or clothing themselves or brushing teeth or walking. Their learned behaviour may be affected further like they may forget their driving skill or swimming. They may not be able to comprehend what is being told or may not be able to frame sentences or usually speak or read and write. They even may not be able to recognize family members or friends and neighbours. Some patients may become more aggressive

At this stage, they may need continuous monitoring and help. You may need to arrange support to manage them or become an Alzheimer’s caregiver yourself.

In severe cases, as the disease progresses, they become entirely dependent, since they almost completely forget the learned behaviour. Basic skills of swallowing or walking are wholly forgotten. They stop recognizing anyone.

In such severe cases, the patient needs complete medical care and may need to be sent to a specialized care centre.

At whatever stage the patient is, the Alzheimer’s caregiver has to gather a lot of patience and understand that it is the disease that is manifesting its symptoms. A dear one not recognizing you may be very distressing. Nevertheless, since there is no cure for AD, it is essential to accept that managing symptom and supporting the patient in his or her daily routine are a few ways one can help the patient.

Talk to them slowly framing simple sentences. Don’t be too assertive, listen to them. Be reassuring in case they feel unsafe and helpless. Tell them simple jokes. Use their favourite music or book to distract them if they are too agitated. Try to perform small tasks with them helping you like arranging books on the shelf or wiping dishes or stacking folded clothes.

Also Read: Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushroom: A Research-Supported Health Exploration

Planning An Alzheimer’s Caregiver Guide

You may also want to talk to family members of other patients with AD or join a group so that you can get some practical tips on managing the patient. This may also help you to discuss particular problems which normally other people may not understand.

Closely tracking the patient’s condition, ensuring safety and caring for their general hygiene with periodic follow-ups with the doctor are some critical way in which you can care for your family member with AD.

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.

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