I feel benefits of approaching a depression with also low self-esteem person is they are willing to listen and try new ideas. I assume with low self-esteem he wouldn’t be so defending on ways to cure it. He also suffer from severe anxiety attacks and and fear of germs which in my point of view I honestly don’t see a benefit from the anxiety attacks. Although for the fear for the germs I could suggest him to maybe watch his hands everyday or always carry hand sanitizer and use it before a meal or snack. One of the last issues he contains is stealing cheap items from stores and personal problems with his love life. I am not a fan of stealing so I would try to convince him that is a bad habit and even though it’s small items he could still get punished from the law. Similar to the stealing issue I am not a love doctor but I would say this find the one you have most in common with and try not to screw up. I almost forgot him questioning his own gender that for me I don’t know a benefit for that.
Now we are on the limitations to our approach meaning some things shouldn’t be said. Let’s begin with his low self-esteem with depression; one thing I will never say is belittle him because, his self-esteem is so low or why so depressed. It’s best to encourage him and always talk the bright side to things. The same with low self-esteem issue when he have anxiety attacks bad new or sudden startles is not the best way to explain anything. As for his germ phobia problem best not to go overboard as saying it could cause