The simply answer is that it is highly unlikely that you will be able to persuade someone with depression to see a doctor if they do not want to. Not directly anyway.

For many people, and in particular men believe depression is a sign of weakness and failure. They fear that in the workplace, career prospects may seem to be put at risk or believing their masculinity is questioned. One thing for sure is in the early stages it can be easily treated with medication and depending on the severity counselling. In some cases medication may not be required. If left untreated it can lead to the development of physical disease, breakdown and crises. I have never met anyone who has taken the decision to seek support and regretted doing so. The following approach may help

1.0    Do not lay any pressure on the sufferer, persuasion or otherwise.

2.0    Reinforce self esteem and help build self image.

3.0    Educate

3.1    Depression is not an emotional illness. It is a bio- chemical failure which results is dyfunctional thinking that

        can be repaired. Intelligent people get depression . Sometimes it is referred to as the intelligent persons

        disease.

3.2   Encourage the sufferer to do some research or find some simple material for them to read.

4.0   If they are troubled by the thought of a doctor and consequences of a diagnosis then encourage them to

       see a counsellor privately.  There are some things you can do for self help but they are not a

       substitute for professional support should the sufferer have a significant illness such as Clinical

       or Manic Depression or the symptoms are a result of a personality disorder or physical illness.

Self Help.

1.0   Avoid Alcohol and strong stimulants such as coffee

2.0   Exercise regularly

3.0   Take herbal medicine such as St Johns Wart. ( be sure to read instructions and side affects)

4.0   Where possible remove your self for any stressors in your life

5.0   Re-focus on positive change.

Further information on depression can be found on this website http://www.destinylife.co.uk/depression.html    .

or take the depression test here

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It was about ten years ago I first experienced clinical depression and I was actually told this by a church Pastor. In some way this was one of the most disabling periods of my life and this was one of the most unhelpful and dangerous pieces of advice I have ever received. For sure Anti-depressants are over subscribed and depression often misdiagnosed. However, Clinical Depression is widely misunderstood; it is not an emotional state the Holy Spirit can lift you out of with great praise and worship; (miracles apart) it is a serious mental disorder that requires medical treatment as with any other disease. Modern day anti-depressants are an essential part of that treatment and bring enormous relief at a time of complete despair. ( more on depression ).

Please comment or share some advice.