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

I know how you feel. I remember an old aquaintance's mother died and I wanted to be there for her, so I asked a priest (out of all people how hilarious) for advice and what he said is a good statement:

Just be there.

Sounds so silly doesn't it...What I get from the meaning is that the fact that he has someone to talk to about his depression is a really great thing. There is no specific way to help him. If you are there for him, he will sense it and appreciate it. It helps when your just around, whether to watch a movie toghther, laugh, talk on the phone, or go out to eat, etc. The fact that you are his friend says you could be there for him. Know that depression cannot be cured overnight. Just be there for him when he needs you, thats the best you can do.

And if he needs professional help, he should seek help from one too.

Answer 2

First of all, it's good that you recognize it as a mental disease. Especially because you're religious. Most religious people (that I've dealt with) reject it as nonsense.
Next, he needs to get some help by a qualified doctor. Has to have weekly or bi weekly appointments, for at least a year. Just for their own benefit. Trust me it helps to vent your feelings on a neutral person. Then he needs to start trying to make himself think the right things, instead of the wrong things. It isn't easy. We've been conditioned since long ago, and changing those thinking patterns isn't a piece of cake. We need to realize that we have the power. We are in charge of how much pain and guilt and "whatever" we deal with. Stop listening to the negative, start listening to the positive! It's definitely a major step. It is something you are always aware of. Changing your thoughts. But its' worth it.

Answer 3

I suffered from depression for many years and still do. Well to be precise, dysthymic disorder, a certain form of depression. I took medication for a long time and just recently was able to get off it, and I spoke with psycologists many times. As a friend I think what you need to do first is just listen. I know most of the time all I wanted was a set of ears to hear what I had to say. Whether it was a shrink, friend, a parent or whoever. He needs to eventually seek professional help and possibly medication along with therapy, but just saying YOU NEED HELP wouldn't be a great way of approaching it. Sit down and just listen to whats bothering him, don't preach, don't give him a bunch of advice, just listen and comfort him, and eventually he will be more receptive to you offering to get him help.

Answer 4

Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..

But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.

Helping you eliminate depression?

Answer 5

You should pray for him. Tell God about it. Talk to him and lift him up, always give him encouraging words. My dad always tells me that MISERY LOVES COMPANY. He may be acting more miserable than he really is because he just needs a shoulder to lean on. Only God can make you COMPLETELY happy and in the midst of depression he really needs God right now. So just be a good friend and talk to him, do things with him, things that you know he enjoys........or tell a trusted friend or adult who you know can be of more help than you can. But in order for him to stop being to depressed he has to let go of those things that are causing him to hurt, and you being a friend have to encourage him to let those things go. GOD BLESS YOU!

Answer 6

Just talk to him, about anything. Keep him company. There's really nothing specific that you can say to make him feel better; what you can do to help him feel better is make him feel that you care about him. Depression is more easily overcome when a person doesn't have to do it alone.

And if he's not already, get him to seek professional counseling. That's quite important.

Answer 7

You need to let him know that he is valued here. He needs to know that there is life after depression. I should know I have lived through it. Nothing in this life is worth killing ourselves over. Those that do kill themselves are only cheating themselves out of happiness. He needs to know that he is loved and needed. You need to seek out a professional and get guidance from them. They are better trained to help you than most people in here. Not that I am trying to put anyone down. But there is training for this for a reason.

Answer 8

pray for him and ask God to give you the words to speak to him.
speak the Truth to him. Only God can save him but if you allow God to use you He can use you. Also pray with your friend...

Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Answer 9

help him find a doctor. does he have a family doctor? he could refer your friend to a specialist. good luck

Answer 10

If your a friend you'll listen and not judge.
Tammi Dee