Depression: Supporting someone who is depressed

Why is it important to support someone who is depressed?

If you've never been depressed, it's hard to understand just how hopeless and discouraged depression can make you feel. Depression can upset your life as much as other major illnesses, and it can make it hard to take care of family, work, and social duties.

Supporting someone with depression is important because it can:

• Help the person continue treatment. This is the best thing that can happen.
• Boost the person's self-esteem and self-confidence. This helps the person deal better with family, work, school, and daily life.
• Show the person that he or she has a friend. Friendship can show the person that he or she is not alone.

Test Your Knowledge

1. Helping someone with depression is important because:

1. It may help the person stay in treatment.
2. It makes you feel good about yourself.

Continue to How can you help someone who is depressed?
Return to Depression: Supporting someone who is depressed

Author:	Jeannette Curtis Paul Lehnert	Last Updated: November 30, 2007
Medical Review:	Catherine D. Serio, PhD - Behavioral Health Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.