depression?

Question

my friend is depressed [idk if thats the techinqual term but shes down] idk wat to tell her she had a friend to go on zoloft and she never was the same im scared for her because she sometimes drinks and with the depression...idk wat to tell her plz just give me advice

Answer 1

If you think it is something serious you should get her to talk to her parents- if it's bad and she refuses then you should talk to her parents. This isn't something that you need to shoulder the responsibility on.

And there really is a difference between feeling down or unhappy and having an actual clinical depression. To many people are being medication just for feeling unhappy. There is a difference. Just be there as a friend for her to talk if she is going through something and maybe help to normalize it for her. Your only major responsibility as her friend is to tell someone close to her if you feel it's really bad.

Answer 2

Depression can be caused by a LOT of different things. She needs a COMPLETE evaluation - including complete metabolic and hormonal blood panels.

Hypothyroidism can cause devere depression for example, and that's fixed with a tiny pill that has none of the side effects associated with anti-depressants.

My personal opinion is that antidepressants should only be used as a LAST resort, if your friend is really having trouble getting out of bed every day and is suicidal.

A recent study published in JAMA showed that anti-depressants did NOT do as well long term as cognitive therapy. The drugs do better in the short-term, but their effectivity falls below the CT-only group between 3-5 months. The CT only group had a very high cure rate, where the drugs are not designed to cure you. If you come off the drugs, you go right back to where you were.

In short, if it's not hormonal or other chemical imbalances, I'd get your friend some really good books on cognitive therapy and remind her that alcohol is a depressant.

But the complete checkup including the hormones is a must. A lot of doctors don't try that, and often mis-diagnose as a reasult.

Answer 3

I discovered a long time ago that you cannot "get" a person out of depression - it has to take its course (maybe with some medical help in severe cases). Just being available to help if needed is the best and all you can do. Depression takes different forms. I read the autobiography of one afflicted lady. On the first page she asked the reader to imagine sitting at the kitchen table with your head in your hands, agonizing over whether to have potato or rice with a meal. My wife was able to help a friend with a similar problem by planning her meals and writing out a shopping list for her.

Answer 4

ive been there and for me friends couldnt even help....try to help but if she says not to then stop....have her go to a councler and sort out her problems she might have to go on meds. if its serious and there are lots of different meds. and the one i used was helpful and i am off it now and doing just fine so yeah hope to hear that all goes well

Answer 5

1)stop attempting to use short hand when writting, while I can figure out what idk is, it makes you sound like a fricken idiot

2) From the way you type I'm guessing your balls haven't dropped yet, so tell your friend to take it slow. There will be good day's and bad days, Lessons learned from life. Above all else....don't try to be a grown up yet.

Answer 6

why not just let her talk and just listen to her....people with depression always feel no one ever listens and doesnt understand what they are going through. Be supportive, give her a shoulder to cry on.