Drugs is not as good as therapy. The person has to be able to cope with what is going on in his/her life, or else it'll keep relapsing whenever there are stressors. See a psychologist, most of them in Malaysia uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which has been found to be the best in overcoming depression, more effective than medication. Don't see a psychiatrist, that person will just give your friend more medication.

i wonder why rich kids have depression...coz he can have all the things money can buy....

Fuiyoh, 9 years is damn long to be stuck in depression.

I was under depression for 1+ years I think. Not to the extent that I needed medication but it was bad enough that it affects my focus and concentration at work, not to mention very easily getting emo. Basically because I was working in a shitty country and have no real friends and no outlet for hobby.

Anyway, for a person under depression it is very hard to force him to do things like socialize and all, so I would suggest starting from him as a start. try making him reconnect with a lost interest / hobby / passion. Once he has something to cling onto which is closer to his heart (means not status stuff like money, addiction, bla bla bla), then he'll be on his way to recovery.

Oh and some change in the situation will help too, for me is quitting my job, coming back to home land, and switching to a different career

I was depressed when in my teens. Not on medication but the thought of getting hit by a truck for a painless death sounded inviting at times back then. For me it was slightly more than 2 years. But I snapped out of it on my own because my fear of letting down my family was stronger than my self doubt.

But there are permanent effects until today. I don't open up to people easily. I suppress my emotions because losing control of my emotions and clarity of mind led to depression. I didn't had anybody to talked to back then. Having someone to talk to about it helps.

have the family send him to see a psychologist instead of psychiatrist?
even depression pills doesn't work on him? depression pills are found to be quite effective.

I agree with you totally. I hope the person who is suffering from depression read what you had to say. The writer's quote you used is the classic example of the social stigma mental patients face, especially in Malaysia.
I guess it's always easier to criticise what we don't understand

well if can try to do some good things.. like a charity or what.. when we do something, we feel good, so reduce depression

Maybe this will help

www.twloha.com

To Write Love On Her Arms.

hi.. sorry to bring this topic up.
need help here...

i have the same situation as ts friend..
studying overseas,,, depression,,
and i believe it leads me to something they called social anxiety disorder a.k.a social phobia

so does anyone about this therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy)?
i don't wanna go deeper
any constructive feedback is welcomed

I have similar mental illness.
I've been going to a psychologist in Selayang Hospital for several sessions. 3-4 sessions.
I'm not sure if she's using CBT on me,but she did offer strict guidelines to follow.
this is where the willpower of the patient is put into test.
the guidelines she gave me is eg- monitoring my own thoughts and emotions.. then rationalising it.
it's quite a lot of hardwork... coz it's admitting my own faults.. which aint easy..
honestly it feels like my own personality has to take a huge reform..
NOT GOOD for my already wounded self-esteem.
but i know that if i wish to recover,,, it has to first start from my OWN will...
Emotions Thoughts Behaviour..
They are all correlated... so we just have to do best we can
from there... there are many routes to recovery...
medication, lifestyle... self-monitoring...

just my two cents..... =)

Some of these ppl in depression dont really hv a problem. Instead they create problems for others and that's the main reason why ppl stay away from them.

If they wanna recover, want ppl to help them, they hv to be prepared to listen, get to know themselves better and trouble-shoot from there. If they hv big ego problem, refuse to change, nobody can help them ultimately.

I do feel sorry for these ppl but the real reformation has to take place internally just like u hv to eat ur own fill.

See my signature.

Depression more like thinking to much

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Added on March 19, 2010, 9:18 amDon't bs.

This post has been edited by kenplz: Mar 19 2010, 09:18 AM

If religion is not a barrier, try consult some Christian groups they do help consult and psychology session for free, i've seen some successful cases, they live a happy normal life once again, they even get jobs and follow up for the sick ones.

If ur fren need help i can hook u up with them, can pm me

Well... is he very depressed one minute and goes a little jumpy after awhile? If yes then he may have bipolar...

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/b...tion=section_00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder

It's much common than we know. Some people are diagnosed with mild bipolar. Also there are times it's evident in people but we just don't realize it. Important to check with doctors on his condition and give him the much needed support.

Never take depression lightly.

Just... that this issue triggered some negative memories. Hope your friend recovers from it.

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Mar 19 2010, 10:09 AM

any symptoms for mild bipolar?

i have been feeling depressed for a couple of mths now.

sometimes i feel extremely happy and high, sometimes i juz feel like i am hitting rock bottom.
suicidal thoughts once in awhile.

I've been depressed for 18 years (still are)... in my opinion, you can't fully cure it, but you can help ease the emotional disturbance. People can think they're fully cured, but it only takes a small problem to trigger back the depression.

The key here is to find out the cause. Each person with depression has a reason that caused them this depression.. and get support and love from people around them. Those who do show they have depression often WANT to be helped, because they WANT people to know they're depressed. It's those who don't show it is the dangerous one.. they hide it so well until one day when they snapped, then it's too late.