Written by Nancy Sweeney, CLC, and Cara Gardenswartz PhD at GroupTherapyLA.

Watching someone you care about slip away into the shadows of depression is a painful, helpless experience. You want to reach out, to say something—anything—that might help. But when your efforts are met with silence, it’s natural to wonder, "Am I doing more harm than good?"

Picture this: your best friend, once the life of every gathering, suddenly becomes distant. The weekly coffee dates are canceled, the shared laughs replaced by an eerie silence. You send a text: "Miss you. Hope you’re OK." But hours stretch into days with no reply. Your concern deepens—what’s really going on?

This isn’t just about your friend being "busy" or in a temporary "funk." Depression can sneak in quietly, like a thief in the night, stealing away the joy and energy that once defined your friend’s personality. The American Psychological Association describes depression as a condition that often leads to withdrawal and isolation, making even the simplest social interactions feel overwhelming. This isolation can leave even the closest of friends feeling shut out and unsure how to help.

Your first instinct might be to send a message like,........

© Psychology Today