It's different for different people, so the answer is, find out what the other person wants and give that. In my case, give me nothing, no sympathy, no opportu

It's different for different people, so the answer is, find out what the other person wants and give that. In my case, give me nothing, no sympathy, no opportunities to talk, no anything. I deal with stuff by not thinking about it, tuning it out. If someone tries to 'help' with suggestions, they're forcing me think about it and the huge chunk of my life I've lost to it. That hurts deeply. So, find out first. If someone wants to talk they will, if not, don't bring it up. Generally speaking, don't offer fucking stupid suggestions ("have you seen a doctor?"). Don't tell me repeatedly doing X is the right thing to do when I know it will make things worse (happens rarely but is very annoying). Don't offer me psychic healing, or offer to pray for me (unless you've found that that person is open to that. I am not and it will infuriate me). HTH!