How to Help a Depressed Friend

When you've been friends with someone for a long period of time, it's easy to see when their mood changes and they're not the same person you once knew. But it can be hard to confront that friend about the depressive state you think she's it; but it may be just what he needs.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A sensitive tact

1. First, remember that it may not be easy confronting someone who doesn't want to admit that they need help. Sensitivity is key because the decision to get help is ultimately theirs.

2. Get educated on depression by reading as much as possible about the illness. It will help to let your friend know that depression affects many people and is curable.

3. If your friend offers the information that he has been feeling depressed lately, it may be helpful to let her know that you've noticed. This may enable your friend to feel more at ease instead of making him feel like he's dropping a bomb on you.

4. Timing is crucial if you decide to confront your friend about his behavior. A time when you are both relaxed is best. Make sure your friend doesn't appear to already be upset about something at that moment. It's also best for neither of you to be intoxicated because this means even more unsurity in how she will respond.

5. Encourage your friend to seek professional help. People who are trained in this kind of illness are the best resource for healing. Offer to go with your friend, or even have some information on hand for them to look over.

6. Give your friend time to heal. It's not likely that someone is going to pop out of the depressive state instantly. It probably took awhile for them to fall into the state and it may take some time to come out of it. Being patient is being a good friend.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't allow your friend's illness to take you over. Take time away from your friend to relax and do things you enjoy.
• Don't feel responsible for your friend's illness. It's not your fault.

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[talithabing]

on 7/20/2009 *give

[talithabing]

on 7/20/2009 Hi, i came across this and decided to look at it. You did a good job, especially with the way you encouraged sensitivity. As someone on the "inside", i can tell you, that is the most important thing for a friend to remember. You may want to change the word "curable" in step 2 to "treatable", since there is no cure, and the websites that offer a "cure" just gives us false hope. But it certainly is treatable, and that is why your article is so valuable. Good job.