#-relapsing

I have had a problem with depression in the past and especially a few years ago, although everyones experience with depression is very different and what i used to cope may not help ur friend bud.

When I feel depressed I always remind myself to live one day at a time, like don't think about the future or the past, just think about the day you are living right now and take small steps.

I rewarded myself for doing small things like taking a shower, eating all of my meals in a day, getting dressed etc. this encouraged me to do this more often and eventually got me back into normal living patterns.

As their friend, a way you can help them is just generally being there for them and not asking too much of them. Encouraging them is good but trying to push them to do things they aren't ready for isn't going to help them and will may cause them to get into a bigger slump. Avoid saying things they have probably heard time and time again, along the lines of it gets better or this is just a phase. Although this may help them, ask them what you can do as their friend to help them, as I said, everyone is different.