[Night Fury]

okay so my friend has already been to the doctor and got over depression however it seems reoccurring

they fear the deaths of those they care about most

what are ways I can help them?

What I have been doing:
* been there for them
* visiting them
* going out, walking and shopping with them
* trying to be there for them
* trying to stay as calm as I could around them

what seems to happen: when I'm around they are a little more active and will go out walking with me and all, playing games, watch movies
but when I'm not around they tend to go to bed... more than they normally would...

I feel a bit lost on what could be done to help them
so help would be much appreciated


last time the feelings eventually went away...
(going to research this some)




added:

they said they feel like the happiness is being drained out of them and that it feels like there won't be happiness in the future even if they know (kind of like how they said about the dementors from harry potter)

they feel like their mind is fuzzy
and are definitely not at their best, and they are hoping it doesn't affect their grades...

they slowly seem to feel like everything is spiraling wrong
they really like certain games normally but were going through and odd stage of saying they didn't need them because they were a waste of time... I got them to promise me they'd play some last night because it's one of the things they are used to doing and they really like fighting games
I hoped it helped some
they got their doctor appointment this week but other than adjusting the dose of medicine...
I don't know what else they could do...
it feels like an on going battle

[Coda]

In general, any specific feelings WILL go away after a while.

That doesn't make them less significant.

The most important thing to do for a friend with depression is to listen. The only thing worse than being depressed is being depressed and alone. Being with someone who really cares helps take the edge off. The depression doesn't go away, but it helps deal with the effects.

Depression ISN'T about resolving any specific cause of being upset. It seems like it on the surface, but it's really the other way around -- the brain doesn't like effects without causes and will search for something to associate. When a depression episode happens, the sufferer usually focuses on a specific problem or set of problems; those problems aren't the CAUSE of the depression. So while pursuing a solution to the problems can help, it helps because it gives a feeling of control, not because of the actual effect of solving anything.

Long story short: Don't try to fix their problems, but be supportive.

[Night Fury]

the one problem is they no longer feel like talking about it since they know they have already told it to me before, however, they asked me to research it some to possibly find something that could help which is why I was asking for help

nods yeah already have been and still going to be supportive been the only thing I knew how to do...

thanks though, at least I know I'm doing one thing right =)