Self-help book for a depressed loved one?

I think a bag of cheetos would be a more fitting present for her.

Has she been cleared of thyroid and/or hormone abnormalities?

Serious suggestion: The Catcher in the Rye

Bring on the feminists, but I think for women, depression is more often relational/situational versus, for men, often there is a true chemical imbalance or dopamine uptake issue. This is not to say it is any less serious, because suicide due to depression rates are similiar for men and women.

With these likely causes of her malaise, she would probably be helped a lot by a romantic relationship or even just more female friends. I don't know that a book would be any better than tv, just based on what you've said. Getting her out of the house with a gift certificate for a spa or something could be the best thing you could do.

I'd encourage her to change her diet. Activity could naturally follow once her mood, blood sugar, and hormones stabilize and her energy level increases. Try "The China Study" and maybe some raw/vege/organic cook books.

big ticket wrote:

Getting her out of the house with a gift certificate for a spa or something could be the best thing you could do.

Better than changing her lifestyle and diet? She's depressed, inactive, overweight, and eats fast food daily. You can do better than a fricking spa.

Forget saving her life, what she needs are nice nails.

Another thought, since she will watch TV, get her some decent DVD about health and diet. "Food Matters" is one that sticks out, although some of it was hype. "Simply Raw" is about 6 people who reverse diabetes through diet. Her mood would definitely benefit from eating better.

She may not react well to a "self-help" gift at Christmas, especially if she opens it in front of others. Better to talk with her about your concerns in private, before or after the holidays.

Nero wrote:

She may not react well to a "self-help" gift at Christmas, especially if she opens it in front of others. Better to talk with her about your concerns in private, before or after the holidays.

Great point.

Make a Power Point presentation for her.

Anti depressants my friend.

Anyone who has gone thru a divorce will know why.

Take her to the doc.

Serious suggestion: Dharma Bums

Another one: S.A.D. light

Born to Run.

Kama Sutra.

All self help books are written by the anti christ. Don't do it.

My mom is identical to yours although maybe 200 lbs overweight. After my parents got divorced it seemed like she just gave up. That was 25 years ago. My siblings and I spent several years trying to get her to do anything at all - go to church, go to a gym, go for walks with us, volunteer, get involved in local politics - we didn't care as long as she got off the couch. Nothing worked. We finally realized that she really enjoyed sitting on the couch and watching tv and eating, by herself. Some people are just built that way. It bothered us more than it bothered her. None of us like sitting around watching tv and eating doritos, but it makes her happy, in a kind of sick way. It's hard to let go, and to accept that she might want a different life for herself than you want for her. Maybe your mom wants a change, but ours didn't, and once we accepted that, life was easier for all of us.

My story.

I was married to same women for 28 years.We were childhood sweethearts.The marriage went sour and it soon became apparent that reconciliation was not an option.

I asked her to leave.She left and I started picking up the pieces and the debts.

I remorgaged(sp) the house and paid her out.

That cost me $180,000.in the 1990's.

I was extremely upset and stressed and lost about 40lbs.

I thought I had things under control but on a routine visit to my g.p. he realised something was worrying me.

He sent me for councilling and put me on anti depressants.

Three months later I had my life under control ,started running,going out,and enjoying life.

I went off the meds of my own accord a few weeks later.

Met a lovely woman about a year later and we have been together 10 years next month.

Getting rid of the deppression is the key.

If it takes meds it takes meds.

No b/s books would have cracked it in my case.

.

The bible.

yea, that'll do it. After that she can try the Easter Bunny.