How do I help lift my love out of depression?

Dovie · #1 (**permalink**) 12-20-2008, 11:56 AM

The man I love is a Vietnam veteran who has been treated for PTSD for many years, though he no longer sees a therapist. He is retired and therefore home alone all day while I'm at work. He likes peace and quiet most of the time, but seems to be falling into a deep depression out of boredom and thinking too much.He is extremely talented and can design and build things with his hands. We don't have a lot of money right now to launch him on a big project to keep his mind and body busy, so he just either reads or sits at the computer all day waiting for me to get home. I'm very worried about him because he seems so down and unmotivated. He mentioned the other day that he was fighting off a depression.How can I be supportive and yet not smothering? How can I bring back the exciting and energetic man I know and love? How do you help someone out of depression?I have already suggested that he might want to go back to therapy, but he doesn't want to.

fruit_challenge · #2 (**permalink**) 12-20-2008, 04:24 PM

listen to Justin Timbarlake - my love

jbare999 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-22-2008, 10:52 AM

Exercise does wonders on one's moods.Dopamine is the chemical released in our brains that's responisble for pleasure. When you exercise, you increase the number of dopamine receptors in the brain. This is why people experience highs while exercising such as"runner's high".Omega-3's help regulate moods as well. Fish oil caplets are probably the easiest way to obtain omega-3's. Omega-3's also lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (the good kind) so you kill two birds with one stone.Also, try to see if you can come up with a hobby for him to occupy his time during the day. We experience natural highs from accomplishing things in our lives, so when you sit around and do nothing, depression can (and usually does) set in.

pika_452n · #4 (**permalink**) 12-22-2008, 03:30 PM

just support him, try to just do somthing fun with him like go out. just make him laugh. let him confide things in you and just have a bunch of happy moments.