Depression Forum - Friend With Dysthymia

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Q: Friend With Dysthymia

asked by: entices1 on April 25th, 2007

Supporter

Hello, all:

If this has already been addressed, please direct me and I'll read up.

I have a friend who has been diagnosed as dysthymic (is that the proper adjective?). We chat as often as we can via the Internet. We've known each other for years.

I'm not a mental health professional, but I am terribly concerned for him. He told me he had finally decided to seek help (I believe he has an appointment with a clinical psychologist this week).

How can I help him on his journey to healing? I care for him a great deal but I don't want to say anything that will set him back. I can't visit because we live too far apart to be practical--the only time I see him is when I'm up in that area to visit family (usually <1x/year).

Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much.

Replies(3)

hawkeye69

replied on April 26th, 2007

New User

I have that diagnosis too. I think you should just keep doing what you are already doing! He's lucky to have you. Keep encouraging him to continue therapy. If he doesn't like his doc, tell him to continue looking and try different ones until he finds one he likes.
Good luck! Wink

Georgia59

replied on April 26th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

I have family with this as well- I think the best thing you can do is what you are doing. Be there to talk and support him, encourage him to get treated because everybody deserves to be happy.

entices1

replied on April 30th, 2007

Supporter

Friend With Dysthymia

Thanks, Georgia and hawkeye for the words. My friend did the first appt and has another scheduled. I think he'll follow through.

It just kills me to know he's unhappy and I know he has to heal at his own rate. I shed tears just about every day for him (I would never tell him) when I'm alone. I wish I could take his pain away and carry it on my shoulders. I've been diagnosed with depression and take anti-ds, so how much worse can it be? Laughing

I know I should concentrate on the fact that he's finally seeking help after all this time but he is a special friend and no one wants to see friends suffer.

Thanks again.

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