�How is he?� Brian asked getting up when he saw me coming.
�He fine, well that�s what he says� he�s in denial though,� I said as I sat down beside AJ.
Brian took his seat beside me. He looked over my shoulder. �What�s that?� He asked, referring to the booklet.
�Depression, and how to deal with it,� AJ read aloud.
I nodded my head. �Dr. Malone gave it to me� I�m guessing she wants me to read it.�
The guys nodded.
�Hey guys,� Dr. Malone said walking up to us.
There was a chorus of �hellos�.
�I just wanted to give you guys these,� She said handing out the same booklet she had given me. �It talks about everything you�d want or need to know about depression� I gave Trinity and Nick one already,� She continued.
I cut her out. I flipped through the pages of the book, and stopped when something caught my eye.
What is a Depressive Disorder?
A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.
I snapped out of it and looked up at Dr. Malone. �How can we help him through this?�
�That�s what I�d like to know,� Kevin said.
�It�s all in the book,� Dr. Malone replied. �So read� but I�ve got to be going� I have other patients,� she said simply as she walked away.
�I�m not liking her,� I said, when she was farther away, not to hear me.
�Neither do I, but we can�t do anything about it,� Howie said.
There was an eerie silence.
I flipped through the book. �Here,� I said.
�The most important thing anyone can do for the depressed person is to help him or her get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. This may involve encouraging the individual to stay with treatment until symptoms begin to abate (several weeks), or to seek different treatment if no improvement occurs. On occasion, it may require making an appointment and accompanying the depressed person to the doctor. It may also mean monitoring whether the depressed person is taking medication. The depressed person should be encouraged to obey the doctor's orders about the use of alcoholic products while on medication. The second most important thing is to offer emotional support. This involves understanding, patience, affection, and encouragement. Engage the depressed person in conversation and listen carefully. Do not disparage feelings expressed, but point out realities and offer hope. Do not ignore remarks about suicide. Report them to the depressed person's therapist. Invite the depressed person for walks, outings, to the movies, and other activities. Be gently insistent if your invitation is refused. Encourage participation in some activities that once gave pleasure, such as hobbies, sports, religious or cultural activities, but do not push the depressed person to undertake too much too soon. The depressed person needs diversion and company, but too many demands can increase feelings of failure. Do not accuse the depressed person of faking illness or of laziness, or expect him or her "to snap out of it." Eventually, with treatment, most people do get better. Keep that in mind, and keep reassuring the depressed person that, with time and help, he or she will feel better.� I read pausing here or there.
�That�s all we can do?� AJ asked from his spot beside me.
�I guess so, we just have to remind him that we love him, and we care for him�� I said.
�How is he? Where is he?� A blonde woman rambled on and on with question after question.
�Aunt Jane?� I asked standing up.
�Oh�Trin� how is he? Did they let you see him?� Jane asked as she pulled me into a hug.
�Ya� I saw him; he doesn�t look to well though. I�m sure they�ll let you see him, come on�� I said leading her to the front desk.
The group sighed, as they watched Trinity and Jane Carter at the front desk.
It was quiet till I came back alone. �Jane�s going to see him.� I said as I sat down in my spot again.
It was quiet again. Brian had his head in his hands, and was sobbing uncontrollably. I had my arm around him and AJ�s arm was around me.
�Shhh� Brian everything going to be okay I promise,� I soothed him.
�You don�t know that,� Brian said quietly.
I sighed. �No, I don�t know that but I know Nick� and Nick is strong� he�ll get through this with our help,� I said.
Brian nodded. �Your right.�
I handed him a tissue, and he wiped away his tears.
AJ watched us. She�s so good with people. He smiled to himself. He had the best girlfriend in the world.
I rested my head on AJ�s shoulder. I just needed to be close to someone right now. My cousin� was in depression, and he didn�t want me to help him. I would never tell any of the guys that, and I would never tell Nick how much he hurt me by saying that. I sighed and closed my eyes. I could hear AJ�s steady heart beat and faintly feel his fingers running up and down my bare arm.
Chapter One ~ Chapter Three