My friend is often quite depressed. I am on disability for similar issues. How can I best help him and myself?

I care for him so much. I worry that he finds solitude in thoughts of suicide way too often. Worrying or showing concern about him just seems to make him feel more weighted down with guilt and depression. How can we help each other? When I hear his voice. I feel that I have a kindred spirit that relates well to concerns of my own mental health. My wish is that we could all be well....but are we a product of our enviroments?? The faster this world becomes will depressive and anxiety disorders continue to increase?? Will we become a world that can't cope at all?? A world where we live to get up everyday only to have enough strength to open our pill bottles and go back to sleep?? As a former psych nurse I believe I already see the future of mental health of this world. Just seeking comments on these questions. Thank you.
Christine R

You have some very valid points. Unfortunately, most of medicine today in the U.S. is a capitalistic venture. Meaning, if you can't make money, it doesn't pay. The business of medicine is to keep people sick !

Try to find a good discussion group that is moderated by a psychologist or certified social worker. These people are not licensed to prescribe meds, so they are out of the capitalization loop. I'm not saying all psychiatrists are out to just write a 'script and send you on your way, its just writing a 'script is a real easy way out and too many people today are too lazy to care or listen.

Good luck

Dont mean to state the obvious but anti-depressents. You will need to find a good psychologist to prescribe the right ones however.

I don't think the world is going to go nuts but who knows? You can't predict the future but you CAN help yourself and your friend. DO NOT get tied up in your friend's probs cuz it will only bring you down too. I know this from experience.....seriously. The healthier YOU are, the more you can help your friend. It's as simple as that......which doesn't seem so simple, I know, but it's the only way to help yourself and your friend. I wish you luck, and let me know how things progress. Take care!

Get out and do something you both enjoy and don't worry you cant change the world, you only have control over your own feelings. TAKE CONTROL

It's amazing just how much the right diet, exercise and good sleep can help. Many depressions are caused by a lack of the above culminating in poor sleep habits.

Brain chemistry has a lot to do with it. So, anti-depressants can be helpful as well. If you would prefer to stay on a more "natural" course, there are new therapies being discovered using amino acids and other natural compounds that increase serotonin and dopamin levels in the brain- thus accomplishing what a lot of the newer anti-depressants acheive.

I still believe there is a place for good psycho-therapy. Regulating brain chemistry is one thing. Learning to think right and process life in a mentally healthy way is another.

Don't give up. Many of us have been there. Get help. Life is good.

Since you have a friend struggling with depression, you need to understand that you can be one of their most valuable resources.

A depressed individual can be emotionally withdrawn, isolated, lethargic, self-critical and, sometimes, suicidal. If you talk candidly with the your friend regarding your concerns for his well-being, it will often bring the problems out into the open. Emphasize that your primary objective is to convey feelings of concern and assist them in receiving appropriate, professional help.

Your learning about depression itself, including its causes, symptoms, and treatments will help you understand what your friend is going through.

Do what you can to make sure that your friend gets medical care. If the he expresses thoughts of suicide, but refuses to seek assistance, you should consult with a mental health professional or if applicable, urge your friend to stick with his or her counseling or medicine. and offer to go with him to appointments as a way to show support (this helps the both of you)

Be supportive and patient. Listen to what the depressed person has to say. And, without being pushy, urge your friend to do the things that he used to enjoy like seeing other friends, going to the movies or take a long walk.

Other SUGGESTIONS FOR INTERVENING WITH A DEPRESSED FRIEND
- Don鈥檛 try to "cheer up" a depressed person
- Avoid critical or shaming statements
- Challenge expressions of hopelessness
- Empathize with feelings of sadness, grief, anger and frustration
- Don鈥檛 argue about how bad things are
- Don鈥檛 insist that depression or sadness are the wrong feelings to be experiencing
- Don鈥檛 become angry even though your efforts may be resisted or rejected
- Advocate for their recovery from depression
- Emphasize that depression is treatable
- Seek consultation if a depressed friend refuses necessary treatment

Also, AVOID BURNOUT
Helping a person with depression can be tiring and demanding. Here are some things to keep in mind that can help both of you.

-Try to get other people involved in helping a person who鈥檚 depressed. Doing it on your own can be hard.
- People with depression often resist efforts to be helped. It鈥檚 okay to feel angry and frustrated. But don鈥檛 confuse the person you love with the illness.
- Depression isn鈥檛 anyone鈥檚 fault. People just can鈥檛 鈥渟nap out of鈥?depression.
- No matter how overwhelmed you feel, take time for yourself.

At present you need a third person (alternatively group of people) who could attempt to break the vicious cycle of negativity you are being pulled into. From the point of view of philosophy whatever happens around you is the reflection of your inner self. Focus your mind on solutions- try being happy or do what makes you feel better first. It is essential that you should be stronger, more positive, more relaxed, more caring than ever before. Whatever forms the basis of these virtues in you try to nourish it. Positivity, pharmacueticals, good company, yogic exercises-especially Pranayama, a good psychological/psychiatric help can be a great boon if put together in harmony. Remember a true, dedicated approach can never fail & is bound to give good results regardless of the fact who is steering the boat. So go ahead and stop not till your goal is reached!