How do I help her to deal with her depression?!

How do I help her to deal with her depression?

There is a possibility that I could get back together with my ex gf. I am not sure that will happen yet, she may not want it, it may not be right etc but it is certainly possible.

Before I go down the route of deciding what to do about that, I need some thoughts on her depression.

She has had it on and off for years (since a teenager). It was bad at the time we split. I thought it was the major factor in things ending, at the time she didn't but now seems to think it might have been.

She has clinical depression. I wonder if it may be bi-polar, or a combination of both if that is possible?

She seems to have a few months normal, then every so often gets pretty down, for no real reason. That would seem to be clinical depression.

However, at the moment she is fine, but seems to be totally up making all sorts of comments about quitting her job & going travelling on her own, which just isn;t her! She seems to have all sorts of far out ideas going on.

Thoughts??

4 weeks ago
She does seem very up at the moment. Her family only live 100 miles away yet 6 mths ago she was clear she wanted to be near them to help her when she is down. She is not talking of going to Australia for 6 mths, having never left europe before!!??

Any tips on how I look for problem signs, talk to her about it etc, would be appreciated?

4 weeks ago
Also, she is 28, and had depression bad at 16, and more mildly on and off since then.

She also self harmed and had eating disorders as a teenager but none since.

Bipolar disorder includes depression....so it's not possible to be diagnosed with both, although bipolar is often misdiagnosed as depression.

Just be there for her.
Give her space.
Let her know that you care.
Encourage her to get professional help.
Understand that sometimes she isn't in full control of her actions.