I was wondering if any Dopers could advise me on, or point me to, websites that deal with depression. I’m interested in signs and symptoms pointing to depression, and options for dealing with it. I think somone I know may be suffering from depression, but I don’t know how to evaluate what I might find on my own.
I like this one:
Deals with bipolar too. 
Dr. Joseph Luciani’s web site - I have both of his self-coaching books, and I really like them.
Lucinda Bassett’s Mid-West Center for Anxiety and Depression web site. She has a tape/cd self-help program available through this web site. I have gone through the program, and it is pretty good. Expensive, though - I was able to get my copy through a local health centre library. She has a self-help book available, too (“From Panic To Power”).
Some books that I found helpful:
“Self-Coaching: How to Heal Anxiety and Depression” – Dr. Joseph J. Luciani, Ph.D.
“The Power of Self-Coaching” – Dr. Joseph J. Luciani, Ph.D.
“The Feeling Good Handbook” – Dr. David D. Burns, M.D. - this one is an excellent resource for bibliotherapy, used in conjunction with therapy and/or medications. These books could all be found at your library (except Dr. Luciani’s “Power of Self-Coaching” - it’s too new) or ordered on-line from a book site.
You didn’t mention if your friend has anxiety as well - the two very often go hand-in-hand. Most resources that address anxiety will also address depression, and vice-versa.
Here’s my list of depression info websites (I’m a health librarian) :
MedlinePlus : Depression
MedlinePlus Encyclopedia Article on Depression
Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
730 N. Franklin St. - #501
Chicago, IL 60610-7224
Phone: (312) 988-1150
Fax: (312) 642-7243
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Office of Communications
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone: (301) 443-4513 or toll-free (866) 615-6464 (866-615-NIMH)
TTY: 301-443-8431
FAX: 301-443-4279
E-Mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
http://www.wingofmadness.com/ is excellent for a ‘self-support’ type site, including message boards.
Thanks to everyone for the responses so far. I think they will be very useful to the person I am concerned about. I’ll read them first, then pass them on.
The websites listed are all excellent. Just be aware that any site that also offers a chat room or message board may be a double edged sword - some boards are quite supportive and informative, while other boards are full of people who are there simply to make you feel even more depressed than you already are. YMMV, just don’t substitute message board chat for facts and figures. There are also sites that inform patients about certain meds and potential side effects. You can probably do a search for “medication info”, I’m on another computer right now and don’t have access to my favorite sites. Best of luck to you and your friend.
Point well taken, beckwall. I hadn’t thought about that side of it.
Baker What a kind person you are to help out someone.
Not specific to depression, but psychiatric / mental health / mental illness material in general, an alternative perspective: