Hi all...

[SallyAnne]

Best be proactive (sos for mngt BS) and go round to see her every now and then. I had a mate with depression who used to cancel social engagements etc., he disengaged himself from any outside life and the isolation made matters worse. we ended up turning up on his doorstep with a few beers/pizza and just hanging out. Later he said that was appreciated. Sometimes you have to actively support depressed ppl even when they're receding away.

Yeah I know - I'm doing my best. It doesn't seem to be working though. I've got another mate who has "hibernated" for the last year or so - all of us have taken that approach, and it does make her a little better.
But Tracy (my best mate, who I'm talking about here) - that just doesn't seem to be working for her. Its depression caused by real problems you see - its not in her mind, she's facing it every day. And visiting her just isn't helping at all. Nothing is going to help her except her son getting better.
I feel a bit useless.

[Lucy]

Yeah I know - I'm doing my best. It doesn't seem to be working though. I've got another mate who has "hibernated" for the last year or so - all of us have taken that approach, and it does make her a little better.
But Tracy (my best mate, who I'm talking about here) - that just doesn't seem to be working for her. Its depression caused by real problems you see - its not in her mind, she's facing it every day. And visiting her just isn't helping at all. Nothing is going to help her except her son getting better.
I feel a bit useless.

You are not useless, like others have said, just keeping in contact with her will help, even though it might not seem that way at the time.

[realityhack]

Yeah I know - I'm doing my best. It doesn't seem to be working though. I've got another mate who has "hibernated" for the last year or so - all of us have taken that approach, and it does make her a little better.
But Tracy (my best mate, who I'm talking about here) - that just doesn't seem to be working for her. Its depression caused by real problems you see - its not in her mind, she's facing it every day. And visiting her just isn't helping at all. Nothing is going to help her except her son getting better.
I feel a bit useless.

Nah, don't feel useless - you think it's not helping, and she may even say so - but after the dust has settled and her son is on the mend, even if it takes years - she'll know that you were there, and she's supported. Make it known that you're there for her - take her out of her situation if you can, to the movies, on a day trip... it's escapism but she may need the break.

[SallyAnne]

You are not useless, like others have said, just keeping in contact with her will help, even though it might not seem that way at the time.

Yeah I guess.

How are you today anyway mate? Are you still feeling poorly?

[Lucifer Box]

Yeah I know - I'm doing my best. It doesn't seem to be working though. I've got another mate who has "hibernated" for the last year or so - all of us have taken that approach, and it does make her a little better.
But Tracy (my best mate, who I'm talking about here) - that just doesn't seem to be working for her. Its depression caused by real problems you see - its not in her mind, she's facing it every day. And visiting her just isn't helping at all. Nothing is going to help her except her son getting better.
I feel a bit useless.

It may seem as though it's not working for her right now, but it most surely is. When your friend looks back afterwards is only when she will really see what help it was to have a good friend such as yourself. It would be much, much worse if she was just left to collapse into a funk of despair.

[Lucy]

Yeah I guess.

How are you today anyway mate? Are you still feeling poorly?

Yes, I am, and it is compounded by the fact that knobhead boss wants me to go and see him - in another building no less. Can't imagine what he could possibly want on a Friday afternoon - to sack me perhaps ! He's managed to ignore me most of the week...twat

[SallyAnne]

It may seem as though it's not working for her right now, but it most surely is. When your friend looks back afterwards is only when she will really see what help it was to have a good friend such as yourself. It would be much, much worse if she was just left to collapse into a funk of despair.

We've been best mates since we were kids - I more like a pain in the arse sister than a good friend. But I know what you're saying.

[Ardesco]

Yes, I am, and it is compounded by the fact that knobhead boss wants me to go and see him - in another building no less. Can't imagine what he could possibly want on a Friday afternoon - to sack me perhaps ! He's managed to ignore me most of the week...twat

Your boss is SasGuru and I claim my £5

[Tonic]

Yes, I am, and it is compounded by the fact that knobhead boss wants me to go and see him - in another building no less. Can't imagine what he could possibly want on a Friday afternoon - to sack me perhaps ! He's managed to ignore me most of the week...twat

Good to see your initial impressions of your boss is in good health.

[Lucifer Box]

Your boss is SasGuru and I claim my £5