[joshgilpatrick]

My girlfriend is going through a period that she says she's always had a habit of going through in which she isolates herself from everyone because of a general distaste for the world including herself. She's a very loving person and extremely rational so it makes it hard to understand why she would do this to herself. I don't have any fear of her harming herself, but I want to try and help her get out of this rut the best I can. I guess I don't really know what answers I'm looking for but anyone with similar experiences might be able to help. I'm not very knowledgeable about self-help with depression and havn't had to deal with much of it, so I honestly can't figure out where to start. Again, any help is welcome. Thank you.

josh

[Butterfly_Faerie]

hmm, why is she like this do you know the reasoning behind all this?

Is it a fear of something ,depression?
Is she seeking any professional help ?

All you can do is be there for her, try to get her out even if it's just a trip to the store, or a walk around the block, it's not healthy to isolate, there is always something behind it,things that are bothering her.

It's hard to give advice when i don't know the reasons behind this.. know what I mean?

Just be there for her, talk to her, try to get her to talk to you about things ect....

<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>

[mj14]

josh, I think it's great that you want to help your girlfriend out...I'm sure it really means a lot to her, even if she may not be showing really well right now. Isolation is a common symptom of depression...I know I isolate when I am depressed. It is not healthy to isolate, but it's pretty ineffective to try to force someone out of their isolation. The best thing that anyone has ever done for me is to just offer things to do without pressure, and keep offering until I feel ok enough to take them up on the offer. It takes a lot of patience on your part, but it could really help her to know that you are there for her.

Is your girlfriend in therapy? If not, it might help for you to suggest it...if she is having bad feelings that cause her to isolate, then a good therapist may help her feel better about things.

Good luck
mj