I have a friend, he is very intelligent he over thinks everything and it makes him crazy and all thoughtful, he has depression, and depersonalization. I'm his friend and I don't know what to say to him, well I do because I'm semi intelligent that's what he tells me, by my anxiety gets in the way of helping him and I keep fearing he'll rely on me and I'll make his thoughtfulness worse. Any advice to help him with his thoughtfulness?

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Originally Posted by dudemanter

I have a friend, he is very intelligent he over thinks everything and it makes him crazy and all thoughtful, he has depression, and depersonalization. I'm his friend and I don't know what to say to him, well I do because I'm semi intelligent that's what he tells me, by my anxiety gets in the way of helping him and I keep fearing he'll rely on me and I'll make his thoughtfulness worse. Any advice to help him with his thoughtfulness?

You want to help him? I would open up and listen to him and try to understand him. He might feel like he is misunderstood. You could also look up things about depression and overthinking and introduce him to them or send him articles to read. I think intelligent people are eager to find new knowledge and apply it.

Him relying on you might make a problem worse, but it's impossible to know at this point if he will become dependent. He probably needs the open ear and the companionship quite a bit. If he's depressed and overthinking, he may feel like he is alone or different or unlovable. Maybe not, just relating from what I've experienced. I think reaching out is the best thing to do. Wait till he brings it up or the time feels right.