How do you help someone that is depressed and incapable of motivating them-self?

Have you asked them - if they want your help?

It can be very difficult and it takes a lot of patience, but showing that you care about them and aren't judging them for feeling down often makes quite a difference to how they feel. Depressed people generally get very negative about themselves and start to feel worthless, often questioning the reason for their existence. If someone is very depressed, rather than just a little bit down, being told to simply 'cheer up' doesn't help them because it's something they feel they can't achieve.

If it continues for weeks or months it's a good idea to seek medical help, but if you're looking for something you can do to help a friend or relative in the short term, listening to them uncritically, talking through with them how they feel, and gently giving them reasons for being positive can all help them to feel better. Even if all you say is that you like them and enjoy their company, or if you can compliment them on something they're good at, a simple positive comment is sometimes just what they need to hear.

I have a good friend that was recently diagnosed as depressed. I encouraged her to go see someone about it. They first put her on anti-depressants, but she said eff that. Now she is doing great, I haven't seen her doing this well in years. Which is really cool because she is really important to me.

Challenge them, motivate them, but do not badger them. That will only make it worse. The constant negative input of you're depressed is not good. They probably are capable of motivating themselves with a little positive feedback.

depending on the degree..if that person is badly depress you have to convnce him to see a specialist, coz as i've known depression is something like a chemical imbalance of the brain and the only way to correct that problem is to get him prescribe with drugs (by the preoffesionals) that is appropriate for him. but if its just like a one of very bad days..then you could just try to get him having fun of whatever he's interested at, but there are some who prefer to be alone, and if that would be the case just let him be, he's gonna be okay at his own time.