Yeah, it became a choice--that's why I'm still here.

But the choice isn't whether to stay depressed or not. The choice is the one right before me. What next action will make me move towards life and away from death? I'm sure she wakes up stunned and despairing that it's another day and she's conscious. That's the point she has to make a choice. Do I get up and take a shower and put on my clothes in spite of all the negative thoughts that go through my head at that point--I have no clean underwear because I procrastinated doing the wash and now I hate myself for that; I'm not going anywhere so why should I fix my hair?" etc. etc. It goes on and on. Take the choice towards healthy anyway. Do it in spite of every negative thought or emotion or circumstance.

That's where she has to make her choices, in atom-sized bites. Each bite should be towards health Sounds so simple but it's very, very very difficult. That's where the right medication can help.

The good thing is that each choice towards health makes the next one easier.

It's very hard to stay on the outside of that. I'm sure her sister has tried almost everything. My dad saved me once, just by physically getting me out of bed and dressed, and that made the next choice easier. My husband saved me once, just by making an appointment and putting me in the car. An institution would not be out of the realm of possibility if she were my friend.

As far as paying for stuff...there are all kinds of programs that will pay for health care. You can get pharmaceuticals for free, even Nicorette or whatever it she needs. I see that in ads very often. Even if she can't pay at all, she can go and leave that part for later. If I were her friend I would work to eliminate, if only in her mind, every excuse she can think of to get out of getting better. Make the choice towards health an easy one.

Karen