Amorvia Extrasolar

1. You have to understand and be convinced, more than anything else, that depression is a brain chemistry problem and not a matter of choice or a moral issue. It is a disease just like diabetes or heart problems. Nobody wants to be depressed.
2. You must be empathic because depression actually hurts much like a broken bone, it is painful, so be caring.
3. Be hopeful because depression is one of the most treatable diseases.
4. One of the best treatments is cognitive behavioral therapy. Help your friend find a competent cognitive behavioral therapist. Seeing a MD might help too.
5. Reading and focusing attention can be very difficult for people suffering depression, nevertheless refer them to positive hopeful books. I found portions of David Burn’s Feeling Good to be excellent, especially the sections on common cognitive distortions and thought records.
6. Share your stories of hope. I have had two episodes of major depression; one when I was a teen ager and another in my thirties. I learned a lot about depression then, but I’m still afraid when I have two or three down days in a row. But 98% of my days are totally awesome now!
7. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. The more love you pour out on your depressed friend the better they feel. Hug them, kiss them, and tell them good things.
8. Tell them to actively fight the depression and keep moving forward. Climbing out of the pit is hard work.
9. I think King David is a good example of a coping with depression. He had major mood swings and deep depressive episodes. Jesus struggled with emotional issues too. In fact some Presidents, major leaders and extremely successful people have struggled with depression. It just kind of normalizes depression to realize that.
10. Take your depressed friend out on a date to the movies, to coffee, help them get out and live a little. It’s better than sitting at home alone.
11. Depression is the root of a lot of problems. Alcohol masks depressions, for instance. I just think that is interesting and helps me understand people better.
12. Don’t expect your depressed friend to respond the “right” way. Remember, depression is a brain disease. Everything up there is not firing on all six cylinders so be patient.
13. Keep praying for your depressed friends. Your love, prayers, and friendship are the best medicines. Healing is just around the corner.

I love you-Bryan