Depression is a confounding condition, both for those who have it and for their friends and family. So, let’s get started. Someone with depression can’t see that far into the future, and reassurances like this may feel empty. Unfortunately, rumination can lead to worsening depression. We talk a lot about what not to say to someone with depression, and how to cope when friends and family don’t understand. But depression is more than feeling a little blue, and people struggling with depression need the right kind of loving support. Words aren’t all that helpful to a person struggling with depression. Of course, it’s most important that you follow through on that promise. Postpartum depression is particularly painful in that it comes with guilt and fear of being a bad mother to a new baby. People with depression are often … Here are a few things you should definitely not say: 1. There are also simple things you can say to let them know you care about them and want to help. People with depression often don’t love themselves, and thus find it impossible to believe that anyone else can. As scientists dig deeper into the health condition, we have come to learn a lot more, such as the fact more than 15% of the adult population will suffer depression at some point. Depression can develop slowly. How can you help someone with depression? And it makes sense — unless you have depression, it’s hard to get what it’s really like. Most people associate anxiety with everyday worry. Read this article to read 5 steps to caring for someone with depression – and 5 things you should NEVER say. Just listening with an open mind can help them feel understood and supported. On the same note, we die to console them and want to do or say anything in order to make them feel better. But the truth is that anxiety is to normal worry as a puddle is to the ocean. All this week we're talking about mental health. Sometimes people don't know what to say to someone with depression. Lighten Up!” 3. It’s important to stay positive and encouraging, but it takes action to feel better. So if you do love someone who happens to suffer from depression, it can do wonders for them when you reiterate it. When someone you care about is depressed, offering advice or wisdom may be something you do with only good intentions in mind. Depression isn’t just feeling sad and isn’t something someone can flick on and off. Here are some words to say that will show your support, while acknowledging the depressed person's right to feel his or her feelings. Depression is a serious mental health issue. Anxiety and depression can make people feel very isolated and alone. It is not always easy to know what to say when a person you care about is clinically depressed. It’s a difficult position that you’re likely all too familiar with: comforting someone close to you when they are suffering from depression. This guide will help you to have a productive conversation with a person who is already fighting with the blues. "Words do matter," says Dr. Philip Muskin, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. It’s also common for depressed people to say hurtful things and lash out in anger. There's no need to panic. When I struggled with depression, one thing said to me a lot was “I have no idea what to say.” Now that I’m in a better place, I thought it’d be a good time to make a list of 10 things I wish someone had said to me while I was thinking about suicide and battling depression. Someone who is chronically sick will run out of strength from time to time, and when they do, they’re going to want to take a break and just succumb to the depression. 10 Things To Say Someone Struggling With Depression. By telling someone to just ‘cheer up’ or ‘snap out it’ it can sound like you don’t take what they are going through seriously. This will pass. Worst Things to Say to Someone With Depression: 1. While a text message can’t cure depression, it can remind someone of their worth and let them know they’re not alone.But it can be tricky to know what to say — especially if you don’t understand what it’s really like to experience depression. The growing interest in mental health has made diseases like depression a leading topic in public conversations. Written by Meenakshi. Depression is often misunderstood. Someone with depression can't see that far into the future, and reassurances like this may feel empty. While full of good intentions, many may feel intimidated and unsure how to help someone with depression. I’m here for you. If you wouldn’t say something to someone living with a physical condition, like diabetes or cancer, you probably shouldn’t say it to your friend with depression. And every once in awhile, under careful and well-monitored circumstances , it’s okay to let them do just that. Depression makes it difficult for a person to connect on a deep emotional level with anyone, even the people they love the most. Posted Jul 27, 2015 Hearing someone say explicitly that they’ll be there, and will stick by you during recovery, can really help. There is nothing that a person can say to cure depression in someone else, but being supportive and a good listener can help. 10 Little Things That Mean A Lot To Someone Who Has Depression. When I was dealing with depression, one thing said to me a lot was “I have no idea what to say.” Now that I’m in a better place, I thought it’d be a good time to make a list of 10 things I wish someone had said to me while I was thinking about suicide and battling depression. Depression; The symptoms of depression aren’t personal. At times, when our closest friends and family are upset and dealing with depression, we cannot figure out what to tell them. Article updated April 21, 2020. When someone close to you is going through something that’s more than just a difficult day, it’s important to know what to say (and what not to say) in order to help them through it. Here are 11 things not to say to someone with depression, plus suggestions for what to say … To help someone with anxiety, you must first learn what it actually is. Share this: Facebook Twitter More options. The Best 10 Things You Can Say 1. Here, mental health experts share thoughtful tips on how to help a friend with depression. There’s no perfect way to respond when someone talks to you about something like depression. It’s hard enough to deal with issues of your own, but there’s a fine line between offering solace to someone and coming across as dismissive or hurtful. by Miranda Larbi. Over 300 million people, globally, suffer from it.This means it's quite likely that you know someone who is currently in its grasp, and it isn't pleasant. While telling someone to cheer up is okay in some contexts, depression is not one of them. It's important to stay positive and encouraging, but it takes action to feel better. “Snap out of it.” Depression isn’t a choice, and neither is it simply a bad mood. Depression isn't limited to a few. If you need information and practical advice on depression… The following are things to say and ways to help your friend or loved one suffering from PPD: 1. As a result, it has become imperative to know what to say to someone who is depressed. 21 Things To Say To Someone Struggling With Depression. Depression 6 Things You Can Say to Support Someone Who's Depressed Start with, "I'm here for you," and then, be there. It’s easy to dismiss someone’s struggle, or toss … “Cheer Up!” 2. It puts the ball entirely in the depressed person’s court ― and they’ll just say, ‘No I’m fine’ because they don’t have the willpower to express their needs or make choices.” ― @AlecWithPen. Last medically reviewed on June 12, 2020. Here are some suggestions for talking with a depressed person. They may encourage their friend or relative to see their GP, or find some other source of support. What do you say to someone who is severely depressed? The lie that depression tells us is that the pain will last a lifetime. 4. Someone who's depressed doesn't always realise or acknowledge that they're not feeling or behaving as they usually do. If someone tells you they have depression, know that they are showing you part of the beautiful, messy, unpredictable frailties that come with being human. What to Say (and Not to Say) to Someone Who’s Depressed One of the worst things about depression is the loneliness and the sense of the world getting on with things without you. I love you. However, the words you use may not convey the message you want to send—especially if you don't understand the nature of depression and mental illness. Because let me speak … One thing all writing manuals say is SHOW don’t TELL. A depressed person is battling a mental illness. If someone you love is depressed, you probably want to help. 2. If you liked this story, you might also like reading these: * 15 Things You Shouldn't Say To Someone Struggling With Depression * … In this blog, I have enlisted some wrong statements which we should never say to someone with depression. Those of us with depression typically have family and friends who want to encourage us; however, all too often we find that even well-meaning people end up saying the very things we don't need to hear.When this happens, it can leave both the person who spoke the words and the person to whom they were spoken feeling … Often it's a partner, family member or carer who first realises that help's needed. If you know someone with depression, you may be wondering how best to support them without causing offense. 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