Posted by alexandra_k on July 5, 2013, at 17:35:47
In reply to Re: Used to be quite social, posted by jennifer248805 on July 5, 2013, at 7:53:46
It is true that it can be hard work spending a great deal of time interacting with someone who is depressed. Because of how moods tend to be infectious.
It is also true that most people are fairly empathetic to others and would like to help, if possible.
Partly it might be about (to start with, anyway) purposely seeking out social contact in a structured environment. It is much easier to have a depressed person in a club where there are a bunch of members than to (for example) go hang out with one one-on-one for several hours.
It also makes a difference if the interaction consists in them expressing negativity / cynicism or whether it is more sadness / tears.
Maybe a DOING club would be the idea? I'm a huge fan of exercise. Something like yoga or group fitness. Exercise produces endorphins. It is hard to feel crappy after exercise (especially if you make it about you being better than you yesterday and not worrying about whether you are better or worse than everyone else).
It might be a gradual way back into social contact.
poster:alexandra_k
thread:1046346
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20130612/msgs/1046566.html