Often it can be difficult to know how to talk to someone we know who is depressed. Often we can feel helpless, hopeless, and powerless in the face of a loved one's depressed state of mind. Quite often the person who is not depressed can feel tempted to "cheer" the depressed person up or get them to somehow "snap out of it". Let's face facts, having someone in our life who is close to us who is depressed feels bad. Just remember if you feel powerless and down in the face of their depression, just imagine how lousy they feel. Quite often our efforts to cheer the depressed person up or get them to snap out of it can backfire and lead them to feel even more misunderstood, alienated, and depressed and leave you feeling frustrated and lousy. It is important to recognise that you can't fix the depressed person's depression by telling them what to do, or to just get over it. This is often counterproductive. Just because something helped you to feel better does not mean it will help your friend or loved one. The trick in part is to be patient, nonjudgemental, and listen. Quite often the most valuable thing you can give to a depressed friend or loved one is to be patient, present, and listen. Let them know that you are there for them when things get tough and that if they need someone to just sit with them and be present, you are able to do that. Of course it is generally helpful if the depressed person is willing and able to get psychotherapy. The following article offers some helpful suggestions on what to do to be of support to someone who is depressed. Just click the link below to read it.