I do not have depression, but a christian friend of mine has just told me that she has been suffering from the symptoms described in this site. I have been aware that she has not been her usual happy self, but i had no idea that what she was suffering is shared by many other people. I do not know how to relate to her, everything i say seems to make her angry, and i do not want to hurt her more than she already is, however, she is not, to my knowledge, seeking any help, or has told anyone else the extent of her depression. Any advice on this would be a godsend. I am afraid of loosing her. Please help.

Hi,
Have you told her about this sight??? Does she understand what is happening to her and why?? She should be encouraged to go see her Dr so she can be properly diagnosed. That is the first order of things.
When I first got my depression with panic attacks, I didn't know what was happening. It scared me to death. I thought I was going insane. When I went to my Dr she diagnosed clinical depression. I started taking medication and within a month, I was feeling like my old self again. Sometimes it takes several tries to find the medication that suits you best but eventually something will work
It's hard sharing it with others because most people think it's something you can overcome, or, you don't have enough faith. They don't realize it's a chemical imbalance deep within the brain.
Be there for her. Pray for her and encourage her to go to the Dr. Show her this sight so she knows there are many others who have experienced the same thing and that she's not alone. Don't try to "fix" her, just encourage her to seek help and then we can go from there.
laura