In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
A bedridden person becomes susceptible to various health complications, such as painful pressure ulcers, problems with circulation and breathing, contractures due to lack of physical activity, and psychological problems such as depression. The latter ailment is one of the most dangerous and devastating for humans today. How to recognize this condition in a sick person and what to do when a bedridden person is depressed?
Causes of depression in bedridden people
A bedridden person can easily become depressed due to illness or disability. A patient locked in four walls with the same view of the sterile world that surrounds him well known to him and having minimal interaction with others, has a high probability of feeling worse and closing in on himself. Being bedridden causes anger, often embarrassment, or loss of pride in having to rely on others to care for the sick person all the time. A person forced to be in one place all the time must face the problems of their own emotions. May have fits of fear, self-hatred, anger, regret, loneliness, and an inability to avoid the pain of the situation in which he is in.
How to deal with depression in bedridden people
It is very important to provide such a person with appropriate care, improve their quality of life and relieve pain. Various therapies, such as massage, hot water bath just before bedtime, aromatherapy relaxation, etc., can be a good idea. Moving the patient’s bed into a well-lit room can make a big difference in managing depression. We should remember about the social and emotional needs of such people. Despite being bedridden on a daily basis, they often want contact with others. Therefore, we should spend time together with patients not only helping them in their daily activities, but also relaxing together, e.g. while listening to music. Playing a calm, soothing melody depending on what the sick person likes, despite being numb to various stimuli, can be extremely soothing to the person.
Another way to deal with depression in bedridden people is to encourage them to communicate, think positively and interact with each other so that they can show how they are feeling and what they need at the moment. It is also worth fighting the routine of everyday life, be it through the visit of guests, friends and related positive and uplifting social meetings, or perhaps thanks to today’s technologies such as video chats, Skype sessions, playing videos and photos with which the sick person has good memories.
Taking up various activities or hobbies by a bedridden person is crucial in coping with depression. Reading or writing are ideal ways to occupy the mind and thus reduce the emotional burden. Of course, the sick person must learn to ward off bad thoughts when he puts down a book or stays alone for a while.
Remember that in the fight against depression, even seemingly trivial things, such as the interior design of a bedridden person’s room, can be of great importance for their well-being. The decor of such a room should be oriented towards comfort and aesthetics.
Get more information on depression:
- Depression – symptoms, treatment. Causes and types of depression
- WHO: Depression at the forefront of diseases in the world
- Endogenous depression – the main causes, symptoms and treatments
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.