| I know it can be very frustrating when someone you | | | | depressed, I try to pay attention to what works and |
| care about is depressed and won't even do simple | | | | what doesn't and do more of what works. It's a simple |
| things to help themselves. I have a friend who has | | | | philosophy, but it works better than anything else. |
| been depressed most of his adult life, often knows | | | | Everyone is a bit different, so no one thing works for |
| what he should do, and won't do it. He's pretty much a | | | | everyone. You have to experiment and take notes. |
| shut in now. But does he want to be depressed? No. | | | | Sometimes people need to be heard. Sometimes |
| He's suffering. I don't think anyone wants to suffer. | | | | instead they need to be interrupted when they start |
| I think it's a case of sometimes we don't know how | | | | feeling sorry for themselves and saying the same old |
| hard it is to do something unless we walk in their | | | | things that always make them feel depressed. |
| shoes. I catch myself sometimes doing behaviors that I | | | | Sometimes taking charge helps, like going to their door |
| wish I didn't do, that I know aren't good for me, and yet | | | | and saying, "get dressed, we're going out today, don't |
| I'm sometimes mystified how to stop. I can understand | | | | even think about not coming!" Other times they need |
| how this can be for anyone. | | | | to feel their inclinations respected. Which method will |
| Depression can become a safety zone. Often when | | | | work depends on their nature and where they are at |
| people are depressed, less change happens in their | | | | the time. |
| lives and they want less change. Change can be very | | | | Ultimately, their success is up to them. It may take a lot |
| scary, but change is also important. Sometimes though, | | | | of time to feel better, but they need support and love |
| you have to do baby steps to get change happening | | | | and acceptance, and we can help. I just try to pay |
| again. | | | | attention and listen carefully to their feedback of what |
| Whether I am trying to help myself or a friend who is | | | | works for them and what doesn't. |