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Thread: Some advice needed

  1. #1
    ritual93
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    Some advice needed

    Hi all,

    I have a friend that is going through depression, and I am just after some advice to be honest... I don't really want to post the story on here in full view just in case who knows, she might see it? Everyone uses the internet after all

    If I could get some friendly ears that have experienced depression or have experience supporting someone with depression, please send me a private message and I'll let you know what is happening / on my mind

    Thank you

  2. #2
    Princess Sparkles Paula's Avatar
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    Hi and welcome. It’s great that you want to support your friend and we can certainly share stories and information which would hopefully help you. But we don’t allow general pm privileges until we get to know you a little better. Perhaps just posting a little of the story would help?
    The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.

  3. #3
    Boss Lady ;) Suzi's Avatar
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    Hi and welcome to DWD. It's fab that you've come here to try to find ways of helping. Talking generally has your friend seen their Dr? Are they eating and drinking properly?
    Do a little of something that makes you happy every day!


  4. #4
    ritual93
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    Thanks for the reply, I understand

    To keep a long story short:

    I met this girl and we started 'dating' for about 2-3 weeks, I stayed over at hers, we went out to dinner, just generally hung out etc. I noticed a change in her behaviour, which happened toward the end, she just stopped messaging me, and just didn't seem herself and I asked her if everything was OK and if anything was on her mind, which she would just tell me that everything was fine.. One evening out of the blue she texted me that she was really busy at work and her schedule is looking busy, and that she thinks it's best we didn't see each other anymore. So after talking for a bit, I just left it that it was great meeting her and that I'm going to miss seeing her and left it there, to which she just out of the blue started to tell me that she suffered with depression and it's starting to come back again and it's taking her over and that she goes hot and cold and thinks it's fair on me that she doesn't continue seeing me. I understood, and obviously told her all the obvious 'We'll get through it together' 'I'll always be here for you' etc. to which she said she appreciates it but she doesn't want to put me through it and needs to deal with it by herself.

    This was about 4-5 weeks ago now.. So after all that I pretty much felt like it was over, and just got on with my life.. But a week later she randomly sent me a message saying 'Have you blocked me?' and I told her I didn't and she didn't reply from there.. But from that I gathered that she does care about me, and for her to tell me about the depression when I didn't even pry means she somewhat trusts me?

    So after this I've been frequently messaging her to check in on her (like every 3-5 days) because I don't want to smother her, but I also want to let her know that I'm never gonna go anywhere.

    The first time I told her I'm here for her and if there's anything I can do for her just let me know as she is important to me etc... She always responds and is pretty detailed about it, she tells me generally how she is feeling and always says she hopes that I'm OK and also she said 'Why are you so nice to me' 'You're so lovely' etc. But then she just stops replying (which I know she is going through some tough times so it doesn't bother me)

    But I just want to know, am I doing the right things by keeping in contact with her frequently, just to ask how she is doing, and re-assuring her that I am still around and care about her etc? I have no motive at all, yes I have have romantic feelings for her, but I am not selfish, I know she is going through a crappy time so I am literally just here for her as friend. Is there anything more I can do/try?

    I've seen a few different women over the past year or so, and she is the one that I really connected with and we got on so well, and I can't seem to get her off my mind, I do genuinely like her and really care for her and want to see her get through this.. It would be nice to be apart of the healing process as I believe a big hug, or just someone there to listen will be a great thing for her, but she doesn't want to see me as I think she feels she will drag me down or hurt my feelings, but I'm a big boy and I've had a friend who had depression and I know that people say / do things they don't mean when they are suffering

    I know a problem is she hasn't known me that long, and probably has trouble fully trusting me, or doesn't want to trust me and in her head I could end up letting her down, or abandoning her etc (Maybe some other guy has done this to her in the past?)

    Don't say 'move on' or whatever, because it's nothing like that and I'm not desperate for a relationship, and like i stated this is not about my needs at all, I genuinely do care for her just on a friendly level.

    Thanks

  5. #5
    Boss Lady ;) Suzi's Avatar
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    Your post has made me really emotional! I think it's so great of you to want to be there and to want to help her, but without any pressure. By checking in on her you are showing her you care and that's fabulous.
    Do you know if she's seen her Dr or got a support network around her at all?
    Do a little of something that makes you happy every day!


  6. #6
    ritual93
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    Hi Suzi,

    I've recently just posted a brief overview of the situation..

    I don't think she was eating properly, but I honestly didn't pick up on the signs! When she said she didn't want dinner, but she would cook for me and I would just say "don't worry I'll eat at home before I come to yours" I was in the dark about it then, and just assumed maybe she had a late lunch or something, but had I known she was suffering I would of been much more supportive.

    I noticed little things like her fridge always being empty, but as stated, I didn't take much notice because I didn't understand she was going through something until she told me a week later after she said she didn't want to see me

    Quote Originally Posted by Suzi View Post
    Your post has made me really emotional! I think it's so great of you to want to be there and to want to help her, but without any pressure. By checking in on her you are showing her you care and that's fabulous.
    Do you know if she's seen her Dr or got a support network around her at all?
    I am not sure at all about that, I think 4-5 weeks later to just ask her about it won't feel right... But I did my 'weekly check in' on Wednesday and she told me she is doing a bit better and that one of her friends has moved in, which is fantastic and means she has someone there for her that is looking after her, and I genuinely felt a bit of pressure relieved inside of me knowing she could count on someone.
    Last edited by Suzi; 29-11-19 at 08:57 PM. Reason: Merging posts, please try not to double post! :)

  7. #7
    Boss Lady ;) Suzi's Avatar
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    That is really good and hopefully they'll be looking out for her.
    Do a little of something that makes you happy every day!


  8. #8
    ritual93
    Guest
    Am I doing the right thing?

    Is there anything more I can do to let her know that I am actually genuine and not just one of these guys just 'saying the right thing'?

    I'd really love for her to open up to me and let me be there for her.. I know that's not in my control.

  9. #9
    Mira
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    Hi there. Welcome here. There are a lot of us here that suffer from depression and other issues.

    I read your post and you seem like a stand up guy and you are already doing the best you can. The thing is that we all react differently to depression. Mental health in that way can not be compaired to lets say a broken leg.

    I can not tell you what the right thing to do is. But I think that you are doing it right already. The thing is that depression can cause us to push people away. But if you are talking that is good. But do try not to pressure anything. You can be there for her. But doing something about how she is doing has to start within herself. That goes for the depression and the eating as well. And then you can help her.

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to Mira For This Useful Post:

    Suzi (29-11-19)

  11. #10
    ritual93
    Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by Mira View Post
    Hi there. Welcome here. There are a lot of us here that suffer from depression and other issues.

    I read your post and you seem like a stand up guy and you are already doing the best you can. The thing is that we all react differently to depression. Mental health in that way can not be compaired to lets say a broken leg.

    I can not tell you what the right thing to do is. But I think that you are doing it right already. The thing is that depression can cause us to push people away. But if you are talking that is good. But do try not to pressure anything. You can be there for her. But doing something about how she is doing has to start within herself. That goes for the depression and the eating as well. And then you can help her.
    Great stuff... I just want to make sure I'm doing good by keeping contact with her, or if I should just completely stop talking to her and let her come to me. I've personally never had depression, but since speaking to her etc I have done SO much research on it! I've visited countless websites, read countless posts from people that have experienced it, and people that are going through it or helping people get through it etc.

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