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Not Giving Up on a Very Good Friend Who’s Living with Depression
I continue to put in the effort and emotion. Here’s why.
We give up too easily on some people. They change, we change, and then, without many qualms, we feel it’s okay to part ways or to let the relationship wane. But is it always a good decision? Here’s my story about me and a very good friend living with depression.
Here’s the thing: depressed people are not comfortable in their lives, and they may make the relationship harder, too. So then, what are we to do? This bears some heavier consideration, and of course, it varies with each situation, but here are some of the things I’ve lived through and some lessons I’ve learned in my relationship with my friend.
Depression changes more than just emotions
My friend used to be smart and lively. She was also polite and full of goodwill. Then, many years ago, depression took hold, and I’ve seen her change not only her emotions but also some of her ideas, attitudes, and behaviors.
Year after year, she got more and more bogged down in ideas that supported her right to live as a depressed person. And with those changes, she also became a more difficult person inside, first of all for herself, because she felt conflicted about…