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Ways to Help a Depressed Friend

Depression is an emotional and physical illness that may vary from mild and temporary to severe and persistent, according to Mayo Clinic.com. It can cause a variety of symptoms, from sorrow, withdrawal and loss of interest, to physical pain, weight loss or gain and difficulty performing everyday tasks. When a friend is depressed, it is natural to want to help, and there are some ways to provide sympathetic support while preserving your own emotional health.

  1. Understand Depression

    • While you cannot treat or cure a friend's depression, it may help to educate yourself on treatment options and common symptoms that your friend may be experiencing. Educating yourself about depression can make it easier for you to understand what your friend is going through and offer him encouragement throughout the recovery process. The most important fact to understand is that depression is an actual illness, not something that your friend can simply "snap out of." HelpGuide.org states that it may be difficult for your friend to connect with you emotionally while he suffers from depression. Though this may be difficult to experience, it should not be taken personally.

    Acknowledge Your Friend's Feelings

    • It is important to validate your friend's feelings of sadness or hopelessness acknowledging that they are real and important, says Psychology Today's blog. Listen to and accept what your friend has to say about her feelings and avoid downplaying her seriousness. These discussions may also be opportunities to encourage your friend to seek treatment if she has not already done so and to provide changes of subject, redirecting her thoughts to more positive topics.

    Offer Assistance

    • Patients suffering from depression may have difficulty concentrating or completing necessary activities, such as shopping, cooking or household chores. Ask your friend for specific things you can do to help, according to WebMD. However, commit to doing only as much as you can realistically handle to avoid burning yourself out.

    Take Care of Yourself

    • Set an example by caring for your own health and happiness. This may include making it a priority to lead a healthy lifestyle that focuses on healthy eating, exercise and balancing work and time with friends and loved ones. It may also include setting boundaries with your depressed friend to preserve your emotional well-being. For example, you may want to limit time spent listening to your friend talk about things that make her miserable, suggests Psychology Today's blog. These examples may encourage your friend to make healthier choices and shift her focus from dwelling on her unhappiness.

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