Depression - How do I help someone who is suffering? Advice please.

I have been in a similar situation with friends many times. Its really very hard to say what to do. The best advice i can give is to just be there for them the best that you can and try to help in anyway you can. Either by listening or giving them a shoulder to cry on. If you think their depression is really serious you should encourage them to seek professional help for it.

Lok at it this way, is not what events happen in her/his life, it's just that she's not as strong as you are. I suffered from depression for several years. ultimately, I decided to take up the AA approach, just for today. Everyday as I woke up I said promise myelf not to cry today, but only for today, so i didn't chastise myself if I cried that day cause there was always a new day later. Another thing I found was that being depressed was like being in the bottom of a deep hole, and it was always much more easier to moan than to get out of it. It took me quite long, I never asked for help cause I was ashamed of it, so tell your friend to seek professional advice, the doctor will help a lot. Please, don't forget that is not just the major or minor events that happens in our lives that lead to depression, just some people are more prone than others, and these people are usually very sensitive and care for their friends a lot, you say your friend is worried about their depression affecting others. Please be supportive, when I was depressed all I asked for was a shoulder to cry on and no questions asked. Good luck and please let us know!

I used to have a friend who is like that ellie, extra emotional!But, she has all the reasons for feeling that way! but for that, It will be hard, maybe just let him/her talk and talk to release whatever bad feelings inside, or advice to start playing the favorite sports to divert the attention. Or maybe just need to hangout with friends who can cheer him/her up!

Hi dear Depression is not a good thing only motivation, and distraction of mind can help them out, so spend time with them and make them busy in some thing they might intrest so their mind distract and get free, have motivational talk and comparison as how lucky they are as compare to billions on face of eath, facing problems klike femine, natural disasters, wars etc And in night let them have anti depressein/mind relaxing tablet and tight sleep I am sure soon they will be out of that depression, but sure need patience

Try to listen without judging, even if it is not your style, and refer the person to a good doctor before it gets out of hand!

In simple terms Ellie. Just be there for them. Provide a shoulder to cry on sometimes. Be normal, don't over crowd. Hold their hand sometimes. Just be you. If they haven't done so already, get them to see their doctor. For myself, I find that just having people supporting and encouraging me is enough. I don't want amateur analysis, just friends. If your friend wants to talk, and offer if you wish, then having a listening non judgmental ear is invaluable. If asked, give advice but I would not suggest saying "this worked for me", as we are all different. Ask "open" questions: "what is it the makes you feel unhappy" as opposed to ""are you feeling unhappy" allows them to open up a bit. Once you have had a chance to discover some of why they feel the way that they do, you can then discuss things that they might or can do to improve matters. Mostly though, just be the pal that you are.

The best thing that you could do for a friend who is suffering, is just to be there for them. Offer your support. Call them, email, send little uplifting notes. Anything you can think of is great.

The only thing I can think of is to introduce humour whenever possible. Watch funny movies. Or kit your friend out with some art paper and acrylic paint. Encourage her to finger paint her feelings to get them out of her and onto the paper. Personally, I take St John's wort. It's an herb. It's available in chemists, health food stores and the health section in supermarkets. It lifts my mood when I'm down or sad. I live alone and I get anxious about my Dad who also lives alone and is 95. He goes along really well but sometimes I think about when he'll be gone and I worry. The little tablets work and keep me on an even keel. I know some people can have an imbalance in the chemical that sends certain messages to the brain so the messages get sidetracked or distorted in some way. Medication is required to repair the balance. Maybe she needs to see a doctor for an assessment.

I really don't know what you do...I have a friend the same way.....the only thing she says she can figure out is that she feels like she has lost herself. Like she said once she got married her husband and kids came first and she never does! It seems to be the major part of her depression.....as for your friend...I don't know. Just having someone to talk to mean so much! Good for you for trying to help and understand!

whenever i feel depressed, i always go to church specifically the adoration chapel so i can pray sincerely and even cry if needed. i always feel relieved everytime i do this.

Hi Ellie I have suffered with depression and was a manic depressive I would do self mutilation rather than hurt someone else but it made me feel better-unfortunatley there is very little you can do for her she has to come out of it herself in some way-the only thing you can do is be there,give her hope in and about life but as for bringing her out of it you can do nothing but keep her in your prayers that will probaly be the best thing you can do-hugs littleowl

I'm no expert, but I guess the thing is to just be there for them. Encourage them to seek medical help, and encourage them to get fresh air and exercise, but really just hang in there with them.

The only thing you can do is be there for her and encourage her to get help from a professional. I saw that you responded to someone and said that you have already encouraged her to get help. Unfortunately, this is all you can do. People with depression either come out of it on their own, get help to come out of it, or end up doing something drastic when the depression gets worse. I know you wish you could do something, but it's in her hands right now.

If you are so optimistic than it might be hard. You know that depressed people talk complete crap, and you have to tolerate it and help them out. The first thing you need to do it put yourself in that situation. Imagine you had the same experiences, good or bad as that person, and how you would feel, and how you would think to save yourself. To help a depressed person you must know his or her complete past, and how he or she takes thing, how he or she understands. Then you can understand. You have to be a good listener, and a good adviser, who just dont give advices, but you have to even prove your point.

the best way is get them to go to a doctor, who will assess the situation either give them medication or send them to a therapist to help them, that is the best you can do. The other thing is to be there for support.

hello ellie.. i think what you need to do is just listen your friend. listen to what ever she says. don't ever ever say that "it's ok, things will go fine soon." since it is not really fine with them. and it will give them false assurance. try to visit your friend frequently and just remind your friend that you're always there for him/her. you can also ask your friend to go out and have fun. ask also your common friends to visit her/him. just help her do some activities that will divert her/his attention. hope your friend surpass this depression. and good luck with you... ps.. i admire your concern with your friend.. she/he is blessed to have you..

I would say that the best thing you can do is simply be there for them for whatever they need. if they need to talk something out offer yourself as an ear. not necessarily to advise in any situation, but just be their to listen, and be a shoulder to cry on if need be. you can also plan fun activities that you can do together that will take their mind off thing for a short time...kind of like a stress reliever. When i broke up with my fiancee my friends immediately took me out to eat and did whatever it took to cheer me up. even if it was only a drop in a bucket. if you have to just sit with her and hug her then just simply do that. sometimes knowing that you support her is enough to help at least a little. Everything will be ok in time.

Depression could kill and therefore your friend needs you very badly. Be with her all the time you can. Keep her happy, bring her in different places that will keep her happy and appreciate life like get together with caring friends.. Show her the beauty of life..., the nature, the goodness of God... and the many thinks she has to be thankful about... Read to her the Bible and the promises of God...and tell her she has nothing to be depressed about for this one great God who loves her so muchhhhhh!!!

First thing you should do is not to treat them like their suffering from depression. If you discriminate them by acting differently because they're suffering from depression even though your intentions are good then this will only make things worse. "The biggest barrier from recovery is discrimination." All you can do is just act normally around them and help them whenever you can. You can also try and get them outside the house and enjoy stuff.

Hey Ellie, kudos for you on being an optimistic person. Thst is great and keep on the bright side. An individual suffering from depression just does not snap out of it, no matter how hard they try, they also afflict others around them with negativity, worry, and concern. Maybe the person is depressed because they are not happy where they are living, with family members, finances, health issues, with themselves or whatever the underlying cause may be. What you can do is listen, if they don't wanna talk - encourage them to talk and get fresh air, listen to music, anything to refresh the mind and encourage positive thinking. But Ellie, just be a friend and listen. And that is the most precious thing you can do. Love moonreys