What to Do When Someone You Love Is Depressed

Rating:
Summary: accessible help with depression
Review: As a clinical social worker, I frequently recommend this book to clients, colleagues and friends for help with their depressed family members. The section on anti-depressant medication is especially clear and easy to understand. Dr. Golant's recommended strategies are enhanced by his use of vignettes from his practice and personal life to make a very touching and accessible book.

Rating:
Summary: Not overly informative
Review: Honestly, the only way to help a loved one understand depression is to talk to them about it. Do some research on the internet about the symptoms, common issues and what to look out for. I don't expect someone to read a book about depression because no case is the same.

Rating:
Summary: Helpful but sometimes incomplete
Review: I bought this book for my husband and his family and for my family to help them understand my depression and gather some better methods for supporting me. It is helpful, as it is very informational about all facets of the disorder: what a depressed person experiences, different types of depression, medication options, etc.

One thing I was excited about was the list of "depressed people's sayings" and the list of responses NOT to give and alternative, better responses. This is a helpful list, since this is one of the problems I encounter the most ("You shouldn't think that way," "That's silly," "You're hurting those who love you"). However, the responses are repetitions, mostly of "I know you feel that way now, but we will get through this together." And, even though this is a good response, saying it as a response to everything someone says just sounds silly. However, the concept of the list is wonderful, since it serves the purpose of showing people flaws in their responses.

As is the case with this example, other advice/information is good and beneficial, but incomplete or repetitious. I suppose the excuse is that it's impossible to analyze a disorder that is different for everyone, hard to pin down, and extremely difficult for a non-depressed person to understand.

However, for a general overview and introduction to depression for non-depressed friends or family members, this is a good book to buy.

Rating:
Summary: Great starting place
Review: I bought this book second; and loved it. The first book I bought "How to Survive When They Are Depressed" was awful. This book is a great overview. One important thing; this book giveing insight into what the depressed person is thinking and feeling; both about the depression and when depressed. This book could go more in depth; for exaple the list of things depressed people hate to hear, is waaay too short; there is so much more that could have been added. However, what is there is great and well worth it. I am the depressed person in our family and have had my parents and boyfreind read it.

Rating:
Summary: Great starting place
Review: I bought this book second; and loved it. The first book I bought "How to Survive When They Are Depressed" was awful. This book is a great overview. One important thing; this book giveing insight into what the depressed person is thinking and feeling; both about the depression and when depressed. This book could go more in depth; for exaple the list of things depressed people hate to hear, is waaay too short; there is so much more that could have been added. However, what is there is great and well worth it. I am the depressed person in our family and have had my parents and boyfreind read it.

Rating:
Summary: A depressed person says...
Review: The person while he gives good advice in some areas but not in others. The book ignores some of the real and unsolvable causes of depression such as, the crises of expectations with regards to oneself and how society operates on the whole.

Some people are and will be depressed through their biology/neurology throughout life no matter how successful they are. You can't ignore people who have everything in regards to resources yet kill themselves or are hopelessly miserable. How can one have all those resources, doctors, therapists, and the best medicine and alternatives can offer at ones disposal and then still be depressed for instance?

A failure to understand that some people are victims of the laws of genetics, environment and nature of society... permanently. Many times people are also brought to the brink through our cut throat and uncaring capitalist society. Case in point: Many people commit suicide due to financial issues they cannot get out of which many aren't there own fault, debt accumulated through just paying for a roof over your head, means to get to work and the 'true' necessities of modern working life.