Having a close friend or two to talk to—someone on whom you can depend for emotional support—can be great when little things accumulate or you temporarily feel down in the dumps. But can a friend talk you out of depression or lessen its pernicious effects? A study recently published in the British Journal of Psychiatry examined the viability of “befriending” as a tool in the treatment of emotional distress and depressive symptoms. The findings suggest that friendships, even therapeutic ones, can’t necessarily substitute for treatment.

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