Helping A Friend With Depression

[Tony the Tiger]

Don't know if this is the right place to post this topic but here goes: My friend is suffering a depression bout and he's pushed me away. he's not answering my calls & doesn't have voice mail. He doesn't go out and the last time I saw him he looked terrible, I'm worried about him. Should I leave him alone in hopes he get over his depression or keep trying to connect with my friend?

 

[RaKroma]

Do you know his family or other close friends you can contact to work together to reach out to him? I'd say try to catch him face to face and attempt a conversation to let him know that you care about him, but also know that you can only do so much to reach out in such situations.

 

[KaraBulut]

Like so many instances where friends aren't thinking clearly, there's a limited amount that you can do. You can try to get him out of the house. You can listen. You can encourage him to see his doctor. You can enlist other friends and his family to do the same.

But ultimately, the burden is upon him to get help.

 

[Tony the Tiger]

Thanks guys for the suggestions.

 

[SC6201]

Just be there for him and let him know he can count on you any time. Often when people sink into a depression, they just don't want to deal with anyone, friends, family, or otherwise and are stuck in cycle of self pity even though there are people that do care about them. Best thing you can do is be there for the few times that he bounces out of it for a period and is looking for a friend. Just like seeing an old friend that you can pick right back up from where you left off. Those times are important cuz if they snap back into reality and try and reach out and no on is there, it makes the cycle worse.

Be there when he needs it and know him blowing you off is not personal towards you. May people that do not understand depression think that the victim is just being a jerk to them and will blow that person back off when they reach out when they can.

 

[Maklaar13]

Never give up on a depressed friend. Do respect his wishes but do keep trying to help. If you know his family, see if they can help you help him. If you can afford to you can get some balloons and leave them at his front door with a note.

 

[Tony the Tiger]

Thanks to the two previous posters. your comments encouraged me to "hang in there" and hopefully my friend will come out of his depression soon.