h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It is an almost instinctive reaction of mankind, to try to cheer up a persion who is (deeply) depressive.
The intentions are really great, the spending of time and energy evenso.
A wonderful attitude.

But sadly anough their efforts will be fruitless and the depressive person will experience an even greater solitude. Really.
Why?
Because the need of a person that suffers from severe depression is to have the opportunity to sháre his/her inner feelings and to experience that the well intended friend appeared to be able to join that sharing of lonelynes, anxiety and depression.

He/She will feel understood and because of thát, uplifted.

All that friends need to do is to ask about the feelings
and to open themselves for sharing.

Doing so is nót that easy as it sounds.
It confronts sometimes the friends of their own black emotions.

And, "just listening" can also feel like "I have'nt dóne anything".



And another reason why cheering up doesn't appear to be effective,
is, because in such circumstances the depr.person is then suppósed to enter in a better condition.


Sit,ask, listen and touch.

If we are able to do so, the other in need will receive a very great gift; the real solitude has been broken through.

That can be very uplifting.


(And by writing this, I take my responsabillity towards my friends in life and to other friends with their dear ones in a dark mood.)



Greetings from Amsterdam