(Posted 425 days ago)

Do's and Don'ts:

Before you decide if your friend has clinical depression, go on the internet and read about it to see if she is displaying the signs. Clinical depression is dangerous. It is a chemical imbalance in the body and can devolve into suicidal thinking and action. It requires psychiatric help and medication

If she is simply depressed by life circumstances, she may just need someone to talk to and a professional therapist -- or a friend -- may be the answer.

You will probably meet with initial denial because people like to think that, no matter how bad it gets, they can take care of themselves. Persist. And don't expect instant results. Picking locks takes longer than battering down doors and battering only makes a person more depressed.

Say This:

"I hope you won't kick me for butting my nose into your personal life but I'm your friend and sometimes that is what friends do when they are worried about you. It just seems to me that you haven't been yourself lately. You seem sad and detached and sometimes you look like you just aren't getting any enjoyment out of life.

"I know what goes on outside of our friendship isn't any of my business but when you are hurting, I hurt with you. If you are trying to handle something and it is too much, that's why we have friends.

"If it is something really big, there is professional help too. Tell me about it. Maybe two good minds can find a solution. Sometimes, it gets too heavy for anyone, even someone as strong as you to carry alone."