Any condition that affects your mood and behavior can also influence your relationships with family and friends. This is true of depression and anxiety disorders. But you don't have to feel alone in a struggle to be well. Talking with someone who cares about you, like a family member or a friend, may provide you with valuable support.
There might be times when your condition creates a great deal of stress for family and friends. Depression and anxiety disorders are conditions requiring medical treatment, and time, to resolve. So it is important for your family and friends to be patient with you during your recovery, and for you to be patient during your treatment.
No one is alone
Social relationships are important in everyone's lives. They help us through difficult times, build our self-esteem and give us a sense of belonging. You are not alone.
Consider telling your family and friends about your condition. Let them know you need their support as you go through the course of your treatment. Spend quality time together. Share activities you enjoy.
Your friends and loved ones can play an important part in your recovery because their emotional support can encourage you to stick with your treatment. Get the most from the support those close to you want to offer by talking to them about your condition. You can use the following suggestions to begin the discussion:
Realize that your friends and loved ones may need education about depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, or PMDD.
You can give them brochures or other information to help explain your condition.
You can invite them to come with you to see your healthcare provider, if you are comfortable with that.
Print out some of the materials from this Web site that you think might help others to better understand your condition.
Let them know what they can do to help. Many family members and friends want to help, but don't know how. Let them know what helps you most. Maybe you just need someone to listen without offering advice or suggestions. Perhaps having someone else run an errand or watch the kids for a while would be helpful.
Be specific, but be reasonable. Friends and loved ones can help, but they cannot "cure" you or make problems disappear.
Tell them how much you appreciate their help.
Depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and PMDD can be draining for your friends and family as well as for you. Thank them when you can for their help and emotional support.
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