Help with my little having issues.

[The Biggest Big]

My little has been experiencing severe depression for a while. While shes always had issues with it she used to have fun online and being with people chatting. Quite a while ago a man who was pissed that she disagreed with him over the internet cyber harassed her for a long time and caused her to completely withdraw from the world. Now shes been even extra depressed lately as aside from me she doesnt have many people to talk to or hang out with. I tried to encourage her to put herself out there and try to make friends but she seems like she's too scared to put herself out there. What can I do to help her? She has said she would like some little friends and upon my urging she made some brief excursions into second life (a game she used to like to play) to find little friendly areas but they were mostly empty and she has since given up. I know she could be happy if she just had some people to talk to, and shes a really nice person so she shouldn't have trouble making friends but she just refuses to put herself out there at all and I have no idea how to encourage her to do so. Can anyone give me any advice?

[Needy4neediness]

There is a little map on tumblr so maybe depending on where she lives she might find other littles there. Other than that I guess work or college is a place where she could try to make some friends.

[Spooky]

Everyone is  different and handles depression differently so I can only speak personally on this. Socializing is just draining when I am depressed, it makes things worse. All you really can do is ask her what you can do. Let her know you are there for her to talk about the feelings. I would suggest getting her a cutesy journal with her favorite kind of pens or coloured pencils, journals help a lot. Make sure she is eating healthy foods and encourage to go for walks, exercise helps depression a lot. If she doesn't already, tell her about this site, even online little friends are better than nothing 

[Lil' Miss Dolly]

When I'm adulting - I'm a social worker who works in addictions and rehabilitation but maybe I can help. It sounds like she may be struggling with social anxiety which can in itself cause isolation and horrible depression.

 

If she's withdrawing because of the actions of others than she needs to face it head on. Social anxiety cam be crippling and there's a million ways to treat it. Google Cognitive Behavior Therapy - I recommend it to anyone with anxiety/ depression caused by past trauma and intrusive negative thinking. First and foremost she needs to be at a point where she is like "eff this - I'm done hating myself" because that motivation is Key. You can try to help her but she needs to want the help. Support her, love her and show her someone cares for her. Be her Sanctuary from the world - her armor.

 

If you have the means and access then trying finding a professional. There's no replacement for a good and knowledgeable ear.

 

Get her on the boards. It can be lonely being a little sometimes because our peers are few and far between. If she joins she can work on making friends with us. We are all pretty accepting and non judgemental! Might be a good first step.

 

Hope she gets better!

Dolly xoxo