Relief

I have an online friend. We have never met in real life but we have known each other several years. She is about 15 years younger than I am but we have a lot in common. For the past few years she has hit one rough patch after another -- some incredibly tough stuff.

A week or two ago she was hit again, so to speak, and she had had enough. She was NOT doing well. I am no shrink, but she was depressed and possibly suicidal. I was scared. She is a long way away and there was nothing i could do for her in person.

So we chatted online and we talked on the phone.

And I don't know what I said, but she claims it helped. And she talked to someone else and that helped more.

Today she is doing much better, sounding like herself, making plans, looking to the future a little bit.

I am so glad.

And I *know* she is going to be okay.

((Hugs))

My message to everyone is that it is normal to be sad sometimes, but depression is NOT normal.
It is an illness that needs to be treated. Sometimes treatment includes medication, others it does not. There is help out there if you are feeling hopeless ... I have suffered from this illness myself and it is no laughing matter. I needed help to get through it. If you need help there is no shame in asking for it.

The International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression (iFred) has information on depression. On the home page, click on Immediate Help for links, phone numbers, and answers to questions.

Click the link. Educate yourself so that you can recognize the signs in yourself or others. Let someone know you care and that you'll be a willing listener if they need one. Get help. You deserve it.