What are the coping tips for depression caused by moving back with parents?

This blog answers: What are the coping tips for depression caused by moving back with parents? What are the other ways to cope with moving back home? What is depression? What are the symptoms of depression? What are the treatment options for depression?

What are the coping tips for depression caused by moving back with parents?

Some coping tips for depression caused by moving back with parents according to mental health professionals are by using a communication strategy called RELATING which is as follows:

R for responsibility

One way to cope with depression caused by moving back with parents is to take responsibility. Taking responsibility does not mean being the bread owner of the family rather contributing to daily household work can also do the work.

Taking up responsibilities also gives individuals a sense of belongingness and makes them feel as one with the family after returning home.

E for empathy

Most importantly individuals must constantly work on their empathetic skills. Moving back home with parents might require understanding their emotions and thoughts in various situations. This helps to reduce the number of conflicts between family members and helps to enhance the relationship in turn enhancing one’s mood.

To start with individuals must consciously think about the words that they are saying to others and analyze them in terms of hurtful or acceptable. Once individuals do this actively, they must think about what the family member is going through and speak accordingly.

L for listening

Active listening is very important for family dynamics in general. In cases where individuals experience low mood due to moving back with parents listening to each other could benefit in better understanding of what’s been communicated and suggested broadening the space for closer bonds and relationships gradually.

A for assertiveness

Another way to battle a low mood after returning home to parents is to express one’s thoughts more assertively yet reasonably. it is very important to be calm and kind while speaking one’s mind and emotions to avoid conflicts and following a low mood.

T for time

The most crucial element of communication and avoiding low mood after returning home to parents is to spend a sufficient amount of time with the family members to strengthen their bond with them. Spending time requires physically being present with the family members more often. This helps to rebuild weakened bonds and also helps give a sense of belongingness.

Individuals must do this more actively and consciously and can make a schedule where they can make a note of “family time” as well as “me time”. Spending time with family is important but spending time alone is equally necessary. Hence individuals must have an equal balance between the two to avoid low mood and depressive symptoms.

I for inquiry

To battle depression, after returning home individuals must filter out their negative thoughts and emotions regarding their family and the members in it. These thoughts and emotions can stem from past broken notes among the family members.

However, individuals must try and give their family members another chance as well as another chance for their relationship to gel along with them well and avoid experiencing depressive symptoms.

N for noticing

To form strong bonds with a family member and feel a sense of belongingness which helps to improve once more individuals must actively notice various elements of the family members which are important to them and which might be important to maintain a strong relationship between the two.

It is best if individuals do this with positive elements rather than negative ones as it helps to maintain a happier family environment.

G for grace and forgiveness

Every family has its hurtful pasts and experiences. When individuals return home without forgiving they might have a very difficult time getting along with the family members and also experience a sense of loneliness leading to low mood and isolation.

Individuals are required to resolve their conflicts and strained relationships with their family members at the earliest to have a sense of peace and calm when they return home.

 

What are the other ways to cope with moving back home?

Other ways to cope with moving back home with parents are:

• Respect each other’s boundaries
• Try to help as much as possible
• Try to divide financial bearings
• Take care of yourself
• Be assertive
• Improve communication skills with family members

 What is depression?

Depression is one of the most common serious mental health conditions that negatively impact how an individual feels and thinks.

Depression is associated with feelings of sadness, a loss of interest in daily activities, and drastic changes in the energy level and the daily routines of an individual.

Depression in itself can lead to other physical and emotional problems which can be detrimental to a person’s functioning.

The symptoms of depression can vary from individual to individual from mild to severe depending on various factors.

Studies indicate that depression affects about 15% of adults every year and one in every six people experience depression at some time in their life.

Although depression can occur at any age it is more common among teenagers and early adults. Research indicates that women are more vulnerable to depression than men.

What are the symptoms of depression?

The characteristic symptoms of depression are:

• Feelings of sadness or depressed mood
• Loss of interest in activities enjoyed in the past
• Changes in appetite leading to weight gain or weight loss
• Changes in sleep patterns with very little sleep or long hours of sleep
• Decrease in the level of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Feeling guilty
• Difficulty thinking and concentrating
• In severe cases thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms of depression must last up to two weeks and cause significant impairment in an individual’s daily functioning to meet the diagnosis of depression.

What are the treatment options for depression?

Depression though widespread is one of the most treatable mental illnesses. About 90% of people with depression respond well to treatment.

Some possible treatment options for depression are

Medication

Antidepressants are very commonly prescribed by doctors to individuals with depression. These medications are not sedatives or tranquilizers. They generally do not have any stimulating effects on people who do not experience depression.

Antidepressants usually show their effects within a few weeks. However, in cases where patients do not see any improvement after several weeks, they can alter their doses based on the suggestions provided by their health care practitioners.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is also called talk therapy. It is used as a single mode of treatment for mild depression or for moderate to severe depression along with antidepressants.

Psychotherapy might involve the individual alone or other related individuals for instance the family of the concerned person.

Depending on the severity of depression psychotherapy might take a few weeks or much longer for significant improvement

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy where the therapist actively focuses on problem-solving. This is done by helping individuals replace their negative thoughts with more positive ones.

Electroconvulsive therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment model that is commonly used for patients with severe and major depression who usually do not respond to other lines of treatment.

It involves brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anesthesia.

Patients receive electroconvulsive therapy two or three times a week for a total of 6 to 12 sessions.

Self-help and coping strategies

Apart from therapy and medicine individuals can also carry out some self-help coping strategies such as carrying out regular exercises, getting sufficient sleep, indulging in pleasurable activities, maintaining a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol to reduce their symptoms of depression

Conclusion

Since the pandemic hit the world large number of people have started moving back to their homes with their parents. In this, the highest percentage of young adults have started staying with their parents. 

However not every adult share the same experience of returning home. Some might experience a sense of warmth, support, and love while some might experience a sense of low mood and depressive episodes.

Individuals returning home to their parents must try to strengthen their communication and bond with their family members to avoid feeling lonely or depressed. this can be done through self-resolving strategies or also seeking help from a professional.

Frequently asked questions: What are the coping tips for depression caused by moving back with parents?

How does living with parents affect mental health?

Research indicates that prior negative experiences and a history of mental illness in the family might result in higher levels of depression and anxiety in individuals living with their parents.

Why should individuals not move back with their parents?

Moving back with parents after a long break might be very challenging for many individuals due to the lack of personal space which is very important for every individual.

What is parental burnout?

Parental burnout refers to the mental, physical and emotional exhaustion that parents experience due to parenting.

Citations

Moving Back Home: 8 Mental Coping Tips for Adult Kids and Parents

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression