如果你患抑鬱症的朋友封閉了自己,那你可以做這些事幫助他

When your friend is depressed and retreating from life, how do you draw her out of her shell without nudging her into an uncomfortable situation? It's important to recognize that depression is extremely common and, like any illness, deserves your compassion. One in six people will experience depression sometime in his or her life, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

當你的朋友抑鬱退縮時，你該如何將她拉出自己的'殼'，同時又不會讓她陷入不舒服的境地呢？有這樣的意識非常重要：抑鬱症非常普遍，像任何疾病一樣，它值得你的同情。美國精神病學協會表示，六分之一的人會在他或她的一生中得抑鬱症。

Depression can also be terribly isolating, so anything you can do to help your friend stay engaged is a step in the right direction, explains Tracy Cummings, MD, a staff psychiatrist and Medical director at the Lindner Center of Hope, an affiliate of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. "Even just reaching out and listening could make such a difference," she says.

抑鬱症也可能讓人非常孤立，所以只要你能讓朋友有參與感，那你的方向就是正確的，特雷西·卡明斯醫學博士解釋道，她是辛辛那提兒童醫院附屬機構林德納希望中心的精神科醫生和醫學主任。"甚至只是去找他/她，傾聽他/她說話，都能讓一切大不一樣，"她說道。

Be present

陪伴左右

If your BFF suddenly doesn't want to go out anymore or seems listless, you know something's not right. Depression can show up in many different ways: Your friend may appear sad, anxious, or lacking in energy. Things you used to do together no longer interest her.

如果你最好的朋友突然間不想出門，或者看起來沒精打采，那肯定有問題。抑鬱症的方式多種多樣：你的朋友可能會傷心、焦慮，無精打采。以往你們一起做的事情也無法再讓她提起興趣。

A lot of times, people who are depressed don't want to burden someone else with their feelings. But it's important to let them know that you care and you're willing to be part of the solution, Dr. Cummings explains. "Your job isn't to fix them, but to be present."

很多時候，患抑鬱症的人不想讓別人感到負擔。但讓抑鬱症患者知道你關心他、願意替他想辦法治療是很重要的，卡明斯醫生解釋道。"你的任務不是治好他，而是陪着他。"

Talk about it

聊聊抑鬱症

As uncomfortable as it may be to openly discuss someone's depression, that person's symptoms are just as real as the crushing pain of a migraine or broken leg. Using respectful language and offering support if someone is having trouble can go a long way toward eliminating the stigma of depression.

雖然公開談論別人的抑鬱症會讓人感到不適，但這個人的症狀卻與偏頭痛和腿斷了很疼一樣真實。如果某人患病了，那麼尊重他、支持他則能大大消除抑鬱症帶給他們的羞恥感。

Say, 'Join me!'

說，'和我一起吧！'

People tend to isolate when they're depressed, and that can worsen their depression, Dr. Cummings explains. That's why engaging your friend or family member in some kind of social interaction or activity-whether that's catching a funny movie or grabbing coffee together-can really help.

抑鬱症的人往往會隔離自己，而這隻會加劇他們的抑鬱，卡明斯醫生解釋道。所以讓朋友或家人和你一起參與社會互動或活動--不管是看一部搞笑的電影還是一起喝杯咖啡--都能起到作用。

Here's how to overcome her reluctance: Instead of asking, "Do you want to do this with me?" say, "I'd really like for you to come with me."

如何讓她心甘情願的和你一起呢？你不要問她"你要不要和我一起啊？"，而應該這樣說"我真的很希望你和我一起。"