Helping a friend in need.

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Originally Posted by ChrisS

That will probably work for an Emo teen. The middle income/educated/two parent household kind of person that has it better than 90% of the world, and yet is still unhappy with life and feels mistreated. Showing them people with real life problems will probably make them realize how insignificant their imaginary problems are.

I dont think it will work on a person that has real problems though.

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Well I could list her problems (that I know about) and it would become clear that she isn't an Emo teen. Even though I do jokingly call her one occasionally :p

She has recently seemed to be a little more positive. Her parents are taking her away on holiday next week and she is looking forward to it. :)

Glad to hear that she is now positive and heading for the vacation.
although it's her parents that helped her out feeling better, not you. :)

I have a lot of experience with these things and that's on both sides of the fence so if I can do anything to help let me know. There's lots of information out there for the both of you, books, websites and such.

The main thing is that she's getting help and you're there for her. Make time for yourself too and know your own limits. I'm wishing you the best of luck, well done for being such a good friend to her.

Once I was on a business trip and had a chat with the taxi driver who picked me up from the train station. He started telling stories about the time when he used to be a long distance truck driver. Once he had to use hand grenades to fence off highway robbers. His wife died of cancer when he was arrested by the police for two months just because the cargo owner did not bother to arrange all the documents properly. And she was pregnant at the time!

That morning I felt pretty low but after THAT story I told myself to shut the *@#% up and put myself together. I felt like I had no right to complain about my minor difficulties while other people survive much more and still find strength to live and enjoy life.

It is not the misery of others that helps you when you are depressed, it is their strength and courage.

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Originally Posted by Brown, Jon Brow

A very close friend of mine has recently started to say things that have got me very concerned.

She has told me about various things that she has had to deal with throughout her life, some of which actually made me sick and cry a little. She has said that it is all getting too much for her and she is too tired to carry on. :(

She has called Samaritans but that didn't help at all, and tomorrow she is going to see a therapist.

I am really worried about them and I couldn't bare to lose them. I don't know what I should do to help.

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well dude..

sounds like she got to much in her life right now, i think she needs someone to take some of that off of her,,whatever happend throughout her life,, sure seems like she trust you, if she told you right? so if she trust you,, be there for her,, try and give her a laugh make her smile,, and help her forget what happend,,
i dont think she really means it when she says, i dont want to carry on,, cuz if so she wolud have just done it, and never told anyone,, she doesnt want to do that,,cuz she told you whats wrong,, she needs a friend and she pick you,, just be there for her,, and do for her, what no other can, only you can do for her, weaters thats making her laugh,, smile,, or just being a great friend it all wokrs. and everything sholud be ok dude

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Originally Posted by Rudy Tamasz

Once I was on a business trip and had a chat with the taxi driver who picked me up from the train station. He started telling stories about the time when he used to be a long distance truck driver. Once he had to use hand grenades to fence off highway robbers. His wife died of cancer when he was arrested by the police for two months just because the cargo owner did not bother to arrange all the documents properly. And she was pregnant at the time!

That morning I felt pretty low but after THAT story I told myself to shut the *@#% up and put myself together. I felt like I had no right to complain about my minor difficulties while other people survive much more and still find strength to live and enjoy life.

It is not the misery of others that helps you when you are depressed, it is their strength and courage.

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I can only reiterate that not everyone would find succour in the strength and courage of others, because one doesn't tend to be at one's most rational while depressed.

...........and time for an update.

My friend has only just been to the doctors. She has been referred to a therapist and given mood stabilizer medication.

The medication is really making it difficult to be around her. Some days she is how I would describe as her normal self. On other occasions, such as this evening, she is like a robot.

It's very difficult to witness a very close friend in the mental state that she is in. I feel completely hopeless :(

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Originally Posted by Brown, Jon Brow

...........and time for an update.

My friend has only just been to the doctors. She has been referred to a therapist and given mood stabilizer medication.

The medication is really making it difficult to be around her. Some days she is how I would describe as her normal self. On other occasions, such as this evening, she is like a robot.

It's very difficult to witness a very close friend in the mental state that she is in. I feel completely hopeless :(

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I am so sorry to read that, but at least there is something to work towards in the shape of the therapy.

Having been, in my opinion, the person that's difficult to be around in these circumstances, I know how awful this situation is for all concerned. I wish you and your friend all the very best.

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

I am so sorry to read that, but at least there is something to work towards in the shape of the therapy.

Having been, in my opinion, the person that's difficult to be around in these circumstances, I know how awful this situation is for all concerned. I wish you and your friend all the very best.

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Thank you.

She said today that all she wants is to be in control of her mind again.

It sounds like she has really had enough and wants to be helped - that's always the first step, and the hardest.

Medication does do funny things to people, but once she's used to it and the doctor has decided an appropriate dosage, she'll probably seem more like herself. Patients are sometimes started on a higher dose of mood-stabilising meds than they would have during their "maintenance" phase.

You sound like a great friend, and please look after yourself, too. Don't neglect your other friendships, and find some time to do things you enjoy as well.