[dawncastillo]

I'm really worried about a friend of mine, he's having some serious medical issues, and it seems to be having a really big effect on him, mentally. He'll say things that used to make him happy now don't, he just feels sad. Nothing helps. Not his girlfriend, not music, not anything. I don't know what to say. I feel like I've said "I'm sorry" too often. I've told him I'll be here for him if he ever needs anything, but I don't know what else to say!

[Agentfyre]

Honestly, besides recommending a good therapist, there isn't much to say. People who feel this way will rarely be comforted by words. It helps them to know that you support them, that you aren't blaming them for their own depression or expecting them to just change how they feel when it's obviously not that easy.

You don't need to say anything, just be there for him. Be there with him as he struggles through it. He doesn't need to be saved from what he's experienced, he just needs to not be alone through it.

[Hobbit House]

Originally Posted by Agentfyre

Honestly, besides recommending a good therapist, there isn't much to say. People who feel this way will rarely be comforted by words. It helps them to know that you support them, that you aren't blaming them for their own depression or expecting them to just change how they feel when it's obviously not that easy.

You don't need to say anything, just be there for him. Be there with him as he struggles through it. He doesn't need to be saved from what he's experienced, he just needs to not be alone through it.

Well said!

[vonmoxie]

You might find this list helpful.. some good ideas and guidance:

Best Things to Say to Someone Who's Depressed | Psych Central

Originally Posted by dawncastillo

I'm really worried about a friend of mine, he's having some serious medical issues, and it seems to be having a really big effect on him, mentally. He'll say things that used to make him happy now don't, he just feels sad. Nothing helps. Not his girlfriend, not music, not anything. I don't know what to say. I feel like I've said "I'm sorry" too often. I've told him I'll be here for him if he ever needs anything, but I don't know what else to say!

Just keep being there for him. Therapy can be helpful, but it isn't always. It's also expensive.

If I had to suggest anything specific, I'd say laughter, love, and success are the best things for a depressed person. Also, if he's lacking any of those things, that might be why he feels this way. You might want to check if any of his basic needs aren't being met.

It's likely that it'll take him a long time to find ways to be happy again. It'll probably happen gradually, and he might not even feel it right away.

[Hellion]

Well it has been said, but yeah being there for him and not judging/blaming him for how he feels is the best thing. There aren't usually words that can help too much when in deep depression which it sounds like he could be dealing with...I know from experience how much that sucks. Also never hurts to try to include them in activities or hanging out or whatever, sometimes someone in severe depression wont be up to that but it's nice feeling like at least people care enough to ask if you want to go out and do something or go hang out.