Caring for someone with depression

Many people who care for unwell relatives or friends don't see their caring role as separate from their relationship with the person they care for.

"If you’ve been supporting someone who’s been depressed for several months or several years, you may not see yourself as a carer," says Lu Duhig, who advises the government's Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme about services for carers. "But caring for someone with depression can be difficult and you may need extra support yourself."

Looking after someone who's depressed
Looking after someone who's depressed can be both physically exhausting and emotionally stressful.

"People who haven't experienced depression can find it hard to understand how a person who was previously capable and outgoing now finds it hard to go out and buy a newspaper," says Lu.

Many carers have financial worries. You may have had to reduce your working hours or give up your job to look after a loved one.

You may worry about a loved one's safety or their risk of suicide.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a positive step that could make your situation less stressful. There are several ways to get help:

• Talk to your GP. They can help you with any issues affecting your own health and may be able to refer you to a relevant support service, such as a local carers' group.
• As a carer, you may be entitled to financial help and other support. Ask your local authority for a carers' assessment. This determines what help you could receive from social services. Find out about benefits that you and the person you're looking after may be entitled to.
• Call the NHS Carers Direct helpline on 0808 802 0202 for free, confidential advice on any aspect of caring.

Working and caring
If you work, find out about your rights in the workplace. If you’re out of work or a student, you can also get help. Find out more about work and study if you're a carer.

Taking a break and looking after your own health
People in caring roles often find it difficult to take a break. Your local authority or a local support group may be able to provide respite care. Depending on your circumstances, this may be offered free of charge.

It's important to eat well and get plenty of exercise. If you feel exhausted or depressed yourself, see your GP.

Support groups
Many people find it helpful to talk to other people who have had a similar experience. To find out about support groups for carers in your area, call the Carers Direct helpline on 0808 802 0202.

Carers' involvement in medical care
"Carers are affected by the outcome of any treatment received by the person they care for," says Lu. "Therefore, they need to be informed about how a particular therapy or antidepressant medicine works."

She advises carers to talk to the GP of the person they care for so they can be involved in the treatment and care plan.

Occasionally, GPs may be reluctant to discuss a patient's treatment or diagnosis with a carer because of patient confidentiality. If this becomes a problem, contact your local NHS Patient Advice and Liaison Services.