What would you tell a depressed person to cheer them up?
By Warren Brown
@warrenbrown (173)
London, England
April 20, 2007 12:17pm CST
"You can count on me, I will be your friend whenever you need someone to talk to and a shoulder to cry on."
What would you tell a depressed person, who has really lost faith in the world and has no one he or she can turn to?
I would tell them that they are special and that they can count on me to listen to them.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@GardenGerty (160883)
• United States
21 Apr 07
Sometimes a depressed person needs to hear about something other than themselves. When they are voicing their depression it can be a cry for help. Before my first husband was diagnosed with his final illness, he struggled with depression on a regular basis,taking medication, but still not really happy for very long. After a few years of trying to love him out of his depression, I reached the point where, when he said he wanted to die, I would tell him "I will keep your life insurance policy valid." What he really needed to know from me was that the depression he felt would not ruin my life as well as his, and if something happened to him, I would survive. When he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, this consistency of confidence in myself, and my survivability relieved him of a burden of guilt for leaving.I guess, I would agree, you can count on me to be your friend, but also you can count on me to be a survivor, and to celebrate and cherish your memory.
1 person likes this
@warrenbrown (173)
• London, England
21 Apr 07
Hello Garden Gerty,
Thank you for your valuable input.I am sure that everyone who reads your experience, will benefit by it. You are a tower of strength.It is said that tough situations bring out the best in all of us.There is power in your writing.You have changed the world by just being yourself.All the best to you and your family.
Warren
@lynboobsy11 (11343)
• Philippines
20 Apr 07
First I will listen to her problem give her some advise and after that comfort her and invite her to go out and lets party to release the pain and depression thats the way I cheer my friend.
@warrenbrown (173)
• London, England
20 Apr 07
That is a great way to cheer-up your friend.You are the ideal friend, who stands by her friends in good times and in bad. Never change.
@andysminky (330)
• India
20 Apr 07
The only two things a depressed person might want is either loneliness or a friendly ear to tell whatever is on his mind .. u may find out what he wants and go ahead accordingly .. if he wants his space just leave him alone for some time and then come back and see if he wants to talk it out with u .. if he wishes to talk give him an honest ear without judgin anything just LISTEN .. thats the best comfort u would give him ..
@kstrzwsk (146)
• United States
28 Apr 07
I would tell them to get out more and have more fun. Maybe take some time off work and party or go on vacation. POT HELPS
@amydawn11 (906)
• Canada
20 Apr 07
Just be there for them, Don't try to fix cause you can't. I am in that situation and my boyfriend is not supportive and it makes it harder, all I want is for him to listen to me and be there. I don't want him to tell me it's an excuse or brush off what I say. i just need to know he understands and will be there to help me get through this.
@warrenbrown (173)
• London, England
20 Apr 07
Different people react to depression in different ways. How does your boyfriend respond to you when he is depressed? The clue lies in learning to read his emotional reaction when he is depressed.How do you cheer him up?
We all work differently, if you love him and he loves you, try to learn his depression handling mechanism and that will be the beginning of a long partner-friend relationship.
