Guys share how they helped their friends cope with depression

A recent Reddit article asked for advice on the best ways to help a man with depression. A man who suffers from depression himself said: "Be present (offer to talk whenever he wants, give advice when he asks, etc.)", but you also put in guard against any attempt at excessive empathy, as this may seem overwhelming. and end up centering you in the conversation. "On the whole, depressed people tend to have relatively low energy, especially if it has long suffered from depression," he continued. "Suggest him to go out with him, but remember to be too aggressive.You can suggest a therapy, but there is no guarantee that hell will be ready to leave – even less than that." he could already have therapy. "

"Last but not least, please, pay attention to your own mental health," he said. "I find that many people tend to think that they can" heal "their friends' depression by doing what you have.All you can do, as his friend says, is that you are available to speak where appropriate, suggest the treatment solution and potentially provide solutions that may have worked for yourself if you have suffered / suffer from depression yourself. "

Another speaker recommended patience. "NEVER, tell them that they react excessively," they said. "Their" story "will start to sound repetitive – but understand that a depressed person often relives his worst memories in a loop and that's all he can think of. Do not expect that # They come out of it as if by magic, aged for you, it's as fresh as yesterday to their brains. "

Similarly, another comment warned against trying to "put things in perspective" by explaining how things might be worse, or by pointing people with what you might perceive as "more important" or "real" problems. "- this would only make your friend worse. . Many commentators have talked about the guilt complex they struggled with as part of their depression. Trying to remind someone of the good things in their life will only make the situation worse and give them shame.

Regular contact and informing someone that they can contact you (without forcing them to speak) can have a positive impact, as one man reminds us: "One thing I will never forget, My friend asks me to have breakfast every Thursday, "he said. "It allowed me to get up and take a shower and in the sun before noon, which forced me to interact with people I did not know (cashiers)." We sit and talk about little things, she does not did not even know how much she helped me at the time. "

If you or someone around you has depression, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health problems, here's how to get help.