What Not To Say To Someone Who Is Depressed

Depression is Difficult.

Quite often when someone you know is going through depression, you don't know what to say and how to be more helpful. But sometimes people say the least helpful things. 

Understandably, someone who has never experienced depression may not know what it is like to have depression. But if your loved one is going through a difficult time, your support is crucial for their recovery, and for this reason, it's important to be careful about what you say. 

You may not know what someone else is going through. So do not assume what their depression is like. Be more compassionate and make an effort to understand them.

How Do People See a Depressed Person

Depression is very often hidden and others may not understand what you’re going through.  | Image by: Anthony Tran

Depression is not an uncommon term. Most of us have heard of it, many have suffered from depression, and others are suffering from it right now.

The demands of our lives and a lack of proper emotional support can push anyone into depression. 

What makes the matter even worse is that people often don't know that they are depressed, let alone getting help for it. 

To put into perspective, as much as 80% of those suffering from depression don't even go to see a doctor. A whopping 80% of the people! This means that most people suffer in silence, which is sad and concerning. 

Although it's not surprising that people often don't seek help for depression, and that's because the topic of mental health is still a taboo subject, and people fear they will be judged for having any mental health issues. 

Things may be a little better than before, but we're still not at a place of complete acceptance and inclusion. 

So, here are some of the common assumptions people make about someone who is depressed.

Note: This post is not meant to help you self-diagnose or treat any health conditions, but to raise awareness so that if you notice these signs in yourself or someone you know, you can take the necessary steps to get help for yourself or your loved ones.