How to Support Someone With Depression: Ben’s Honest Story of Asking for Help

What does it feel like to live with both bipolar disorder and depression—and what kind of support actually helps during the darkest days?

In this episode, 28-year-old Brooklyn artist Ben shares his lived experience of navigating depressive episodes, adjusting to medication changes, and building a “toolbox” of coping skills, including therapy, biking, and mindfulness practices.

Ben also opens up about the challenge of asking for help—how depression brings contradictions like loneliness mixed with withdrawal, hunger without appetite, and the constant push-pull of wanting connection while fearing it. He explains why creating a support game plan when you’re well makes it easier for friends and family to know how to help when things get hard.

This is a candid, practical, and deeply relatable conversation about what it means to manage depression and bipolar disorder—and how support, when offered with compassion and timing, can make all the difference.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Ben’s personal experience living with bipolar disorder and depression
• Why medication changes can trigger major depressive episodes
• Building a coping “toolbox” with CBT, biking, yoga, and creative outlets
• How depression creates contradictions (lonely but avoiding people, hungry but not eating)
• The difficulty and importance of asking for support
• Why it helps to set up a support game plan during stable times
• The risks of suppressing emotions (the “inner tube” metaphor)
• Ben’s experience with past trauma and how it impacts mental health
• Why being open about needs prevents crises and strengthens relationships

Timestamps:

00:10 Introduction to Ben’s story
 01:02 Why Ben rescheduled due to a depressive episode
 01:24 The impact of medication changes on mood
 02:08 Managing depression like “untangling Christmas lights”
 02:19 Ben’s coping toolbox: CBT, biking, yoga, and daily practices
 03:20 How depression creates contradictory feelings
 03:49 The challenge of letting his guard down and asking for help
 04:17 Learning that despair doesn’t last forever
 05:18 Why timing matters when offering support
 05:29 Creating a game plan during stable times
 06:46 Why talking about depression when you’re well is most effective
 07:55 The power of having others check in without pressure
 08:22 The “inner tube” metaphor for suppressed emotions
 09:04 Ben’s past trauma and its long-term impact
 10:00 Reflections on medication changes and emotional healing
 10:43 Closing gratitude and lessons from Ben’s story
 11:14 Final reminder: if you’re hurting, speak up; if someone else is hurting, listen up

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