How to Get a Depressed Person to Talk

There are two main types of depression: situation and clinical. Understand the difference between the two before you approach a depressed person to try to help through talk therapy. Situational depression means that person is just going through a rough time and will eventually come around. Clinical depression means there is a chemical imbalance in the brain and a combination of talk therapy and medication may be required to treat the problem.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine the type of depression the person is experiencing. Signs of clinical depression include lack of sleep and appetite, withdrawal from work or favorite hobbies, suicidal tendencies and an inability to figure out "what's wrong." People with situational depression know exactly what the problem is and generally feel better when it's resolved or time has gone by.

• 2

  Offer to listen if she wants to talk. Sometimes, a depressed person simply wants to talk about what they are feeling to someone who won't offer an opinion about it or judge them for their thoughts. Tell the person you will sit there without saying a word, allowing her to talk as much as she needs to.

• 3

  Take her out of her environment. If she has been sitting in her room for days on end, coax her into going on a picnic or for a ride with you. Sometimes, the change of scenery and the intimacy of spending time together will help her to open up a bit. She may feel like talking and again, in which case just listen. Don't offer opinions, berate her for her feelings or do anything but offer support.

• 4

  Refrain from judging her for her thoughts and actions relating to the depression. For example, lecturing her for her lack of sleep or for failing to eat properly is counterproductive; it may be beyond her control. Moreover, this may cause her to withdraw further, exacerbating the problem.

• 5

  Encourage her to get professional help. Sometimes, a depressed person isn't willing to talk to a family member or friend because she feels there is nothing they can do to help. Gently push her to talk to a professional who has experience with situations like hers and explain they can listen and help her feel better.