How can a depressed person best support another depressed friend?

Believe it or not, you are in a better position to help support your friend because you have first hand experience with depression. Talking to that person and offering an ear to listen may get them to open up to you, or they may want to deal with it otherwise, remember, it's their decision. As long as you offer that support, an ear to listen, they know you are available. If they do open up to you, it's important you truly honor your commitment to support them as you have offered it when they very well could be in a desperate situation.

Although it may appear as a lost cause, gaining support from another who has first hand experience with depression can create a huge positive impact. Firstly being able to open up to each other about one another's emotions help to reflect and gain understanding of each other. Being able to share positive coping mechanisms is a great way to support each other. As a person myself suffering from depression along with my fiancé we manage to find a balance. It's important not to burn each other down with negativity. As this will only cause the both of you to spiral. The key is to stay motivated together, howevee challenging that may be. Use one another as a spark of motivation, when one person may feel low , use the encourage of the other to become motivated and vice versa. I'd also suggest taking up new hobbies together? Hobbies will allow you both to distract yourselves from your emotions Have you checked out the self help guides available right here on 7cups? 7cups offers a range of self help guides and meditation activities. May it is worth giving those a try with your friend. Treat it as a bonding and growing session

So one of the most powerful things you can do is empathise. No one experiences depression quite the same as someone else, but you will have an insight and an understanding of what a depressed person might be going through, far more than someone who has never experienced depression. Remind them that they are not alone. Let them know that you understand them. Through all of it, self care is essential. So even while you're supporting your depressed friend, remember to step back and check in with yourself and make sure you're strong enough to be there for them. Don't be afraid to share with them that you're really struggling. Not only will it reinforce the idea that it's okay to talk about how you feel, it will show them that asking for a break is okay.

You can talk about your situation. You can show empathy and talk about how you are feeling as well as it can help your friend to feel better as he or she understands your circumstance as well and knows that there are other people facing the same type of situation. This will allow your friend to feel supported. The key is to really show empathy. By showing empathy, you can support your friend as they understand your perspective. Do not offer advice though as it can make them feel worse. Just talk about your own situation and this will make them feel better