by Ann E. Smith

Created on: March 03, 2011

Depression is a terrible illness that affects countless people. If one of your friends suffers from depression, you may struggle with how to talk to them. You may have tried, only to be met with defensiveness or denial. Even worse, your friend may seem to be slipping away and you may be fearful that you will be shut out. Knowing what to do in this situation is not easy, and you may feel helpless as a result.

Fortunately, there are some guidelines for talking with friends with depression. The Mayo Clinic makes a number of helpful suggestions. First be sure you can recognize the signs of depression. A depressed person often feels really down, no matter what positive things are going on around them. They may express thoughts about feeling useless or constantly sad. They may also have less energy and sleep more often, or show trouble making decisions.

If you truly believe a friend is depressed, you may want to talk to them about getting some help. After all, depression often requires medical treatment, even though its sufferers may not think so. When broaching the topic with your friend, discuss some of the reasons you think this person is depressed. Be sure to use the appropriate tone, as this is a sensitive subject.

Show compassion and concern, not judgment. Remind your friend that you care about them and that you are just worried. Next, gently mention that depression is an illness and is best treated by a professional. Make sure to tell your friend that you do not see depression as a personal fault. While discussing the nature of depression, ask your friend if they would consider seeking help from a psychiatrist or therapist.

At this stage, it’s helpful if you can share your own personal experience, in the event you’ve sought help before. While you don’t want to turn the entire conversation to yourself, it may make your friend comfortable to know you’ve seen a therapist – if this is the case. If you haven’t seen a therapist, mention that you’ve known people who have and that you see it as a healthy thing to do.

Finally, offer to help in any way that you can. Does your friend need support when going to the first therapy session? Ask what you can do to ease the situation. Remember to show compassion and love during this sensitive conversation. Your intentions may be great, but if your delivery comes across the wrong way, you may not be as effective.

Show patience when talking to your depressed friend. Don’t expect an immediate answer. Sometimes people need time to think when making the decision to seek help for depression or other mental health issues.

Source:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00016

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