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what's an effective way to help a friend with depression?

0985 August 21st, 2017

Hello, i have this friend that i care about a lot. She just quitted college today. She is doing therapy and i think she has a psychiatrist appointment scheduled. She was barely eating, and sleeping too little or too much. She told me her mom is making her eat now. She doesn't leave the house. We had a conversation this week that made me very sad and worried. She asked me to not disappear from her life and to not let her disappear from mine too. i text her once in a while some cute or funny stuff, she doesn't answer, but she said she likes getting my texts, because that reminds her we are still friends. I've been asking her to go out together since the beggining of the month now, but i try to not put pressure by saying "if you feel like it, i'm free on X and Y, we could go to that place, let me know". I don't ask much tho, because i think it can bother her if i ask too much. I talked to another friend of ours that is close to her to do a 'kidnapping' on saturday and take her to a park to do a pic-nic.

we dated not long ago, but broke up in good terms and we are still very close. we set some boundries, stayed a while without seeing and barely talking to each other, but now we are okay, we miss each other, me, a lot, she says she does too, but one of the reason we broke up was to take care of ourselves, and we reckon it is not wise to date again. I'm moving on, slowly, but i am. I'm on therapy to work these things out, i had several anxiety crisis the past year but i am okay now, more functional and not freaking out. She also stayed friends till this day with a few of her exes, so this situation with me is normal to her.

I'm lost and don't know what else i can do. I want to stop by her place, to go give her a hug, to take her out somewhere, but i feel that is too much, and, because of the break-up, i'm insecure about what her parents think about me, so i don't want to go to her house. She helped me a lot during my anxiety treatment and i want to be able to help her too.

3
NyaaMio August 22nd, 2017

i was in this situation when i was dating my ex of 18 months, she was heavily depressed and so was i.

i got myself into the situation where i took it upon myself to be her therapist and caretaker, and it want beneficial to anyone. the fact your friend is getting this help is a step in the right direction.

as a friend of someone going through this, the best thing to do listen to her and undertsand her situation as best as you possibly can. listen to her, and work through the anxieties that both you and your friend are going though.

i undertsand it can be hard with a romantic past, but you did a hell of a lot better than me and my ex, we stopped ta;lking shortly after! you seem to be heading in the right direction, but just remember to step back every now and again, it can be draining.

JanahisHere August 28th, 2017

@0985

Hey, hon!

I am so proud of you for reaching out to find ways to help your friend! It is really hard to ask for help! I just wanted to stop by and let you know I am sending good vibes your way! I really like suggestions the others have sent, I hope they have helped! If you ever need to talk just let me know! Good luck!