He told me that he has been suffering Depression for years?

Question

what should I do when a good friend tells me that he suffers Depression? Ho w can I help him? now it seems that he is so sensitive. what should I say to him ? I really want to give him some help and save him from the mental disease.

Answer 1

The only way that you can help is to be there for him. Comfort him and be a trustworthy friend to confide in. But understand that you cannot "save" him from this. You can only help him along the way.

Answer 2

First of all there are meds that will relieve the some of the symptoms, but counseling by a qualified professional professional is also highly recommended. He has taken the first and hardest step, admission. It is usually caused by a persistent chemical imbalance. If caught when young a person can with the right treatment can "jump start" their system. I was in my 40s before they figured out what the problem was. so there is a good chance I will be on some kind of med for rest of my life. I figure that is a cheap price. Be sure to get a MD who specializes in depression so the can be properly diagnosed. I am now 57 and they have come to the conclusion I am bi polar (subject to wild mood swings). Things are getting better now. Sit down and star making phone calls and get him an appointment, if he seems desperate and suicidal, take him to a care center. I got my meds messed up and wound up in a care facility for a couple days. Some people belong there (Lil) but trained help is the best you can do.

Answer 3

With the exception of a few brief periods, my wife has suffered from depression for the last 13 years continuoeously. Encourage him to seek professional counseling (costly depending on health insurance) and seek medical help from a Psychiatrist. The Psychiatrist can provide medicines that will help overcome the illness. Group therapy is a good way for him to find information on the subject of depression, ways to combat the lows and to get free support to help him through these ugly times.

The help you can give him is to be very supportive, understanding, and to be there when he needs you as a friend to lean on. You will not save him from this diseases, but you can help him through it.

Whatever you do, unless you have gone through a depression yourself, do not tell him you know or understand how he feels, for you do not. Instead tell him that you can only imagine how he feels, that the depression will lift, and he will feel better. The majority of depressive episodes usually normally last no longer than six months with many lifting much sooner.

Good luck to him and you.

Answer 4

A good way to begin is to educate yourself about clinical depression. There are lots of good resources in the library and on the web that can help you better understand what depression is and what your friend is going through.

You can help your friend by being supportive and being there to talk when he needs it. If you aren't sure what to say to your friend, tell him that you feel uncomfortable.

You need to know that you cannot save your friend from mental illness, which can be caused by a variety of factors, over most of which you have absolutely no control. Do not feel pressure to get overly involved with your friend's illness, because you are not a professional. You can encourage your friend to get the help he needs from professional sources, and be understanding toward him when he is going through a rough time. Other than that, this will be his battle primarily, and not yours.

Best of luck.

Answer 5

actually Depression is a disorder not a disease, but I recommend you support him and talk to him about the help that is available. He would probably benefit from seeing a psychiatrist and possibly even taking a depression medication that is non-addictive such as Zoloft or Wellbutrin. The effects of Depression will eventually cause him to want to seek help on his own because Depression doesn't just "go away" but for now all you can do is be there for him and help guide him through this.

Answer 6

Manic Depression
Jimi Hendrix
(Are You Experienced)

Manic Depression's touching my soul,
I know what I want,
but I just don't know how to go about getting it.

Feeling, sweet feeling
drops from my finger, fingers
Manic Depression's captured my soul.

Woman so willing the sweet cause in vain,
you make love,
you break love,
it's-a all the same when it's...
when it's over.

Music sweet music,
I wish I could caress, caress, caress.
Manic Depression's a frustrating mess.
Well, I think I'll go turn myself off an' go on down.

Really ain't no use me hanging around.
Oh, I gotta see you.

Answer 7

Don't judge him. Some people think that those with depression have somehow -chosen- to be that way, but being made to feel bad for feeling bad won't help him at all.

Tell him that you're there for him to talk to when he needs it. Tell him that you care about him, and suggest that he look into seeking help, but also make sure he knows that you don't think he's crazy or anything.

Answer 8

You can't cure him through sheer will although that would be nice. Just be there as always. Don't baby him or treat him differently unless he has an episode or he might feel like a freak. Just let him know you can be trusted to be there and to treat him with dignity always. You are a good friend.

Answer 9

You did not cause the problem, you will not save him. He will have to that himself.

Read up on it, undestand it and understand that your friend needs support and compassion. What itf he said that he has cancer and is undergoing treatment...you do the same; but you are not curing or preventing it...just be there.

Answer 10

theres not much you can do to help him medically. however, you can be there for him and urge him to seek help from his doctors or support groups. there are many online and if there is someone there for, such as you, than he will not feel so alone to seek help. good luck.