Working with Depressed Patients Imagine having a severe case of the flu, and someone telling you to just get over it. It would be impossible, just as it's impossible to get over being depressed without proper treatment. Many people still think depression is a choice, and that a depressed person simply needs to be stronger. The fact is, depression has nothing to do with one's strength. Many very strong people suffer from depression, and without help, it can be debilitating. Addressing a Severely Depressed Patient When a patient is admitted to your care, and they are depressed, it may appear as they are not cooperating. The fact is, they probably aren't. Mainly because a severely depressed person often describes their depression as if someone put a giant syringe to their body, and literally sucked the life out of them. They feel as though their body is there as a shell, but they are not. They may have lost the will to live, the desire to move on. No one wants to be this way, but it cannot be helped, just as the flu can't be helped without treatment. Developing the mindset that depression is an illness, is vital in understanding the depressed patients' needs. Collect required admitting information from the patient, however, avoid excess talking unless they initiate it, you want them to know they are in a peaceful surrounding. Related: Handling Language Barriers with Patients Caring for Your Patient Some depressed patients may benefit from a visit, others just want to be left alone, and it’s pretty easy to establish the difference. You may have instructions to routinely ask the patient if they are having suicidal thoughts. When asking, read into the patient's reaction; don't just go with a quick no. It is impossible to always know when someone has intentions to harm them; however instinct can go a long way, and may prevent harm from coming to the patient. You may need to prompt your patient to to go through normal routine activities. Depressed patients often have no desire to eat, or shower, or take medications. A small amount of coaxing will often work, patients tend to take instructions from nurses when they won't listen to relatives. It is important for the patient to consume a healthy diet, lack of nutrients can contribute to the depression, and prolong the road to improvement. In many cases, a medication adjustment may be taking place while the patient is hospitalized. You will be informed of potential side effects, which sometimes include an increased risk of suicide during the initial treatment. Some patients will need to be placed on suicide watch. As the depressed
patient begins to improve, offer different options, such as open blinds, visiting therapy Pets, etc. If they begin to undertake in a more normal activity level, it will give a good indication that the medication is working. Most physicians will order regular charting to determine the responsiveness of medications. It often takes 7-8 tries to determine which medication or combination of medication will work, and this can be frustrating for the patient and family members. Providing literature that explains the process may help eliminate frustrations, most written information, offers a positive outlook, that the right combination can be achieved. Related: How to Properly Express a Complaint at Work Facts on Depression 1 in 7 American adults suffer some form of depression The average person waits 22 months before asking for help or seeing a provider. Approximately 50% of patients that are prescribed medication for depression do not take their prescribed dosage. On average, it takes 8 visits to a doctor's office to determine the correct combination of medication to treat depression. Depressed patients on average take 2 or more medications to control their symptoms. Family members of depressed patients often do not understand what their loved one is going through. Many hospitals offer support groups for family members of anyone with a mental illness this can benefit family members, and help them understand depression and the treatments. Once a patient has been stabilized on a correct combination of medications, they will most likely be advised to seek the help of a therapist. Providing assurance, such as “you are on the road to recovery� can make some people feel confident in their progress. As a nurse, understanding a depressed patient is vital when working with them. Many people already feel judged, so it's important to let them know that is no longer the case. A suggestion for anyone reluctant to seek help is to consult NAMI, or your local suicide prevention hotline. Related: Skilled Registered Nurse, Certified Hospice Nurse and Certified Legal Nurse Consultant Lucinda Perkins, RN, will be Spotlighted in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare
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