Depression

If someone you care about is depressed, you may feel helpless. Maybe you're watching a once-active or happy person slide into inactivity, or you're seeing a good friend lose interest in favorite activities. The change in your loved one's or friend's behavior may be so big that you feel you no longer know him or her.

Here are some things you can do to help:

• Help the person get treatment or stay in treatment. This is the best thing you can do.

  Reference Reference Depression: Helping Someone Get Treatment

• Support and encourage the person.

  Reference Reference Depression: Supporting Someone Who Is Depressed

• Learn about depression. Know the Reference facts and myths about it.
• Reference Be aware of your own and other people's negative attitudes (stigma) toward depression. Do what you can to fight stigma and teach people about depression.
• Be aware of Reference other health problems the person may have, such as Reference post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Help the person have good health habits. See "Remember the basics" in Reference Living With Depression.
• Reference Find your own support. Others can give you emotional and practical support when you are helping a loved one with depression.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.