Helping a Friend With Depression :- Causes : Cure | Medicine | NaturalRemedies | Symptoms.

Friend With Depression

If you're reading this then you think you've got a friend with Depression or a friend who is getting Depressed, and you want to help. Depression help is something deeply individual and even professionals don't always get it right straight away, but you've got the advantage of knowing the person you want to help, their character, disposition and history. You also have their trust. So, all I can do is to give you some tips, as to how help your friend gently but you decide for yourself what applies to you. First of all, do your research. Find out about different types of Depression, the differences between Depression and anxiety, PTSD and bipolar disorder, etc. Depending on what mental problem you friend has you'll plan your approach and advice. Let them know that you think they are depressed and tell them why you think so (hence, the research on Symptoms of Depression and possible Causes).
Tell them that you are there for them if they need someone to talk to or any kind of help. Sometimes people just want you to listen, they don't need your advice or judgement. Other times they need someone to take them out for a walk or a nice meal or help them do some chores they find trouble concentrating on.

Don't judge and don't diminish the depth of their problems. Talk about help they can get - certain types of therapy, antidepressants and how they work, Natural Remedies, techniques for stress-relief, or even online tests to determine if they are depressed. Make sure they know that you keep to yourself all they share with you in confidentiality. Unfortunately, there is still social stigma for people suffering from depression, and you don't want your friend to suffer even more than they already have, because you've told someone about them. Let them know why taking recreational drugs or drinking alcohol excessively is no good in depression. Find a way to distract them from their problems from time to time, laugh together, watch comedies, exercise, spent time outdoors, share hobbies.
Let them do things at their own pace. The acceptance of our problems and willingness to do something about it doesn't come to us at once. We go through a denial phase and pretend that we are alright. So be patient and don't push, they will make their own choices, and hopefully with your support they will seek help.

At last if you think that your friend is in danger of harming themselves or committing suicide, don't be afraid to talk to their loved ones or relatives to let them know that they need help, or even call Suicide Prevention Help Line. Ask for help; better be safe now than sorry later, if something happens.
These are my ten tips, - what are yours? As usual please share your experience and thoughts.