Depression is different from a bad mood. Unipolar major depression is caused by abnormalities in brain cells, thought patterns, and behavioral habits that have deep and powerful influences on how your friend is experiencing her life. For example, when you are suffering from unipolar major depression, even happy events cannot cheer you up. When depression becomes severe, every positive experience seems like an exception and every negative experience proves the point that your life is falling apart and your situation is hopeless. Your friend’s depressed mind may be clouded and its contents unclear and scary, almost as if she were being forced to watch a horror movie.
Even after you have heard this, it still may not be possible to understand the experience of unipolar major depression unless you have been through it. Concentrate on being a good listener, and let your friend teach you about her depression.
- How do I stop playing down my depression in front of my doctor, therapist, and family?
- How can I talk to my depressed loved one when he’s so emotional?
- What is the first thing I should do to keep depression crises from happening?
- What’s the best thing I can do to prevent a depression related crisis?
- Where can I find more help on women and depression?
- How can I help my depressed friend feel better about herself?
- My depression increases whenever I look in the mirror what can I do to feel better about my appearance?
- Why has my partner become unreasonably demanding and physical since my depression began?
- Is Geodon effective in treating depression?
- What do I do if my depressed partner won’t get treatment?
- Depression has made me feel distant from my partner should I act on these feelings?
- Is it normal that my sexuality seems to have changed?
- What can I do about my loss of interest in sex?
- How else can I combat simultaneous depression and weight problems?
- Will diet pills interfere with my health or make my depression worse?
- How do I avoid putting on weight when I’m depressed?
- What are some easy ways to make sure I’m getting the nutrition I need?
- How do I regain my appetite? I’m starting to look sickly from weight loss.
- Can I breast feed while I’m on antidepressants?
- What is Zyprexa?
