In need of ways to help depression

Hey All,
I was wondering if I could get some advice. I have a 20 year old friend who suffers from depression. He has had it for years I am pretty sure but he has only connected his feelings to depression in the last 6 months. He is a very intelligent person so there is not much that he can do to fully take his mind off the depression. He doesn't want to go on antidepressants and he doesn't want to go see someone to get help. I was wondering if anyone could give me some ideas of ways to help him cope with, deal with, improve etc. his depression. I don't know what I can do for him. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I would suggest counseling, maybe some medicine and getting out side more often..... being active with friends he can trust.

LoVe,
Rhapsody - ((( hugs )))

Hmmm intelligence imo means there are plenty of ways he can distract himself from the depression... but he still needs to investigate why he's depressed.

I'm thinking he's caught in the stereotypical thinking that real men don't go to psychologists or do therapy Maybe by assuring him to maybe consult with a male therapist, and ask HIM for ways he can combat his depression will give the T the opportunity to convincing him to continue therapy???

He needs to eat right, get plenty of restorative sleep, have some fun activities, maintain social contacts... but then, if he's depressed, he won't want to do that

You might suggest he go to the MD for a physical... sometimes these things are physically based... plus, if he opens up to the MD about feeling down, the MD might go ahead and prescribe something to help... short term... and without the need for a psychiatrist???

I think you're a great friend for caring... TC

Thanks a lot for your response. I don't think he is in the male mind that "we don't do therapy" he just doesn't like talking to other people. He is an only child and he really doesn't have any friends (except for the ones in other countries he talks to online but he doesn't do that much). He is more of the attitude that he wants to do this himself. As for the physical, he went to his doctor and the doctore perscribed Effexor. He was on it about 3 days and then got off because he read about how bad it really was. He is fully against any sort of medication or therapy. I cannot convince him otherwise. He also doesn't know what will get him out of this because he has gone through so many hobbies in search of some sort of joy. His hardcore intelligence makes it really difficult for him to be amused by something for an extended period of time. I am wondering what I can tell him to do that might improve his depression or in the least help him get his focus back. How can a person suffering from depression get his or her focus back?

I'm sorry he became afraid of the Effexor... it is a good med, imo. Maybe by finding the scientific data to depression, showing that it isn't all in his head, but when the brain quits making enough, or quits using the serotonin with adequate response... so there's no way to snap out of it or work out of it without either good therapy or medications, or both. If he were only "blue" yeah, but not with depression, sorry.

Remember that depression tells him lies... and his thinking will be distorted when trying to figure things out about himself...if he begins to get too frustrated and loses all hope, convince him he must choose... therapy or meds.. as it is a biologically based problem. TC!

Perhaps you could tell him that one of the problems with depression is that nothing is joyful anymore. Even hobbies that are age-old favourites lose their appeal. I agree with sky that he probably needs to tackle the cause of the depression, not just distract himself from it, though being active wouldn't hurt.
He is lucky to have such a caring friend. I think it's great you're trying your best to help him.