Support for a friend with depression

[Corzhens]

A friend in need is a friend indeed so how can you turn down a friend who needs support when she is suffering from depression? We have a family friend who had separated from her husband and obviously the was the cause of her depression. There are times that she would tell me she wanted to end it all and she's only living only for her sons. She used to be a happy go lucky woman who is always smiling. But when her husband fell into the vice of drugs, she left him for good. At first, I would be going out to the mall with her and I saw it was a good escape. However, she would be moping at home and when there is that depression all over her, she would not even let others know. The doctor said it is manic depression. I don't really know about it until one common friend told me that our friend in depression may be nearing suicide. Fortunately, her mother came to the rescue. And that was the end of the depression. Clearly, I saw that mere companionship is very good antidote against depression.

 

[gracer]

Your friend is lucky to have the company of a friend like you. I think this is the time when she needs a friend's helping hand the most. Depression is something that is often misunderstood by people and sometimes finding someone to support or understand you is so hard to do. Loneliness is a big factor in one's depression. I for one am triggered whenever I'm alone and feeling lonely. The mere fact that someone is beside you, willing to just stay there and accompany you in silence or listen to you when you need to vent it out is enough to give you comfort when you are depressed.

 

[amy88]

I definitely think that being there for someone is a huge component of helping them battle depression. I know for me, just having someone even sit with me when I'm feeling that way helps. Even if we don't talk and we're just watching movies or TV or something - knowing I have someone who is there for me means the world.


As gracer said I also think loneliness is a huge factor for depression. It's certainly the case for me. So when I don't feel alone, it's much easier to feel like I can tackle my depression.

 

[kelden]

Is always great to show some love and support to people with depression, you're a great person. Depression strikes harder when the person start to think nobody cares for him/her and is better dead, and that thought is nourished further when all the loved ones underestimate his/her current feelings. Where a normal person


only sees someone having a bad day, a heavily depressed person point of view perceives the world as cruel, selfish and impersonal which It has decided they are a burden and it doesn't matter whether is alive or not. Is the opposite to narcissism, where the person think the world revolves around him/her.

 

[joshposh]

I'm a person of tough love. I don't baby anyone. In my eye's, that is encouraging the depressive state by giving a emotional response.


I usually get that person out of the house and do something fun again. Go take in a movie and do something crazy and exhilarating. Get the heart pumping and the adrenaline flowing and get that person out of that little hump they are trying to get over.

 

[rz3300]

The difference that having someone who is understanding by your side is monumental, and I can certainly personally attest to that. I am pretty sure that we all have had times when we needed someone like this, and times when we sensed that those we care for needed us to be someone like this. It is a true test of friendship, in my opinion. Just knowing that someone is there to listen, and even if all they say is "yeah" or something like that you know that they sympathize with you.

 

[Alex Jones]

I had a friend suffering from depression for the longest time. The sad thing is that I did not even notice it, and on her worst days I thought she just needed some time alone, away from everyone. Eventually she did tell me about it and told me the best thing for her was when she spent time with me. I do think companionship helps, even if it is just being around for that person.

 

[Quirah]

Sometimes you have to get good at picking up small cues from your friends that they're depressed. Most of the time they won't just flat out tell you. It took me a while to tell my friend of over 13 years that I was going through depression. It wasn't that I didn't trust her enough to let her know what was going on with me or anything, it's just hard to admit that you have depression sometimes to the people you love. Sometimes you just don't want them to know. Sometimes your friend will say they don't want to be bothered with people, but I've found that that's when they usually need you the most. Most of the time they don't even realize that they just need a friend.

 

[Roscas]

Depression can be very tricky and at times it does not become obvious to others because not all we know and deal around us know what depression really is. We tend to lump and label signs or signals as part of the mood one is in at the moment, or brush it aside because it is normal "to be depressed" because she or he has a problem or going through something.


Sometimes it only takes one person who listens, take the time to hear what the other person going through depression, and simply just be there - the presence felt, heard and sometimes, seen - to make a difference in the degree, the depth, the intensity of the depression of the person. A touch of kindness truly can go a long, long way for anyone, someone or even everyone. I should know. I have been through my fits of depression but always, always, I get back on (even for just a time) because of a dearest friend of mine who even with her harshest words tell me what I need to hear after listening to me talk, say what is in me, my heart, my mind, even my soul. There are also my very matured children who would listen to my woes, especially after reading my thoughts in writing that I give to them sometimes.


Even a smile and hello from a stranger who passed you by while walking can suddenly uplift you and maybe pull you up for the day. That smile is priceless. That hello cannot be bought. But boy, is it wealth for the soul of that someone who received your precious gift!

 

[kgord]

I think I would ask the person, how you could help. If they say nothing, than maybe inviting them to do something fun that you know they like to do, might be good. Sometimes just being there is all they need. It is just one of the ways that you can be supportive. Or if you know they are struggling with something offer to help if you can. Sometimes just being someone they can talk to and go to is the best thing you can do for your friend with depression. Sometimes just sending an ecard letting the person know you are thinking of them, can be very helpful.