Boost your B vitamins. I’m really sorry you’re going through this. How long have you been feeling this way? Becca shares her experiences of depression. Talk with your therapist. I have always hated talking to people about my depression. I am telling you this not … This was the best decision I have ever made to help myself. We're taking the nation's craftiest fundraiser online. As bad as things get, do not lighten up your support. If you have recognised the signs and symptoms of depression in someone close to you, it can be incredibly helpful, for both you and your loved one, to have an open and honest conversation about it, so that you can begin to develop an understanding of what they’re going through and reassure them that they’re not alone. ... By Heidi Fischer. © 2021 Mind We're a registered charity in England (no. Own up to it for yourself. Resist the temptation to explain or justify your position; instead, seek primarily to understand rather … When a person is supporting a partner with depression, it is … Take responsibility for your own part. It’s also important to follow-up. Blogs and stories can show that people with mental health problems are cared about, understood and listened to. It works for me, it’s healthy and lasts for a bit. But it can hit anyone. But it isn’t always easy, especially when that … Serani believes that patience is a pivotal part of supporting your loved one. People with hidden depression struggle fiercely with keeping it hidden. Even if they're trying their best to push you away (common for people with depression to … The conversation doesn’t have to be perfect. Get on a better sleep schedule by learning healthy sleep habits. For someone who suffers with depression, it’s hard to open up to a loved one and tell them what they’re struggling with. Lots of people can find it hard to open up and speak about how they're feeling. Stacey blogs about how hard it is to talk about depression and suggests a letter you can use as a template. He then … Because of that, I used to think therapy wouldn’t work for me. 424348) in England and Wales. There are many paradoxes with depression that don’t make sense on the surface. I had been quietly dealing with it from about the age of 14, and it wasn’t until I was 19 that I truly spoke it out loud. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. "It was after a particularly difficult Christmas, which I spent avoiding members of my family and being huddled in a corner as much as possible, that my mum encouraged me to go to the doctor about how I was feeling.". It wasn’t until quite recently that I have decided to seek help from others and open up about my mental illness. Safe person: How to respond when people open up to you April 29, 2016 by Julie Ganschow Most people like to help others and that is a good thing, because we are surrounded by hurting people … Keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be an intense conversation that you dread starting. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Speak-Supportively-to-Someone-with-Depression-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Speak-Supportively-to-Someone-with-Depression-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Speak-Supportively-to-Someone-with-Depression-Step-2.jpg\/aid8479321-v4-728px-Speak-Supportively-to-Someone-with-Depression-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, How to Speak Supportively to Someone with Depression, https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/helping-a-depressed-person.htm, http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/news-1594-143_2.html, http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/01/30/6-things-to-say-to-someone-with-depression-or-whos-depressed/, https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/06/how-walking-in-nature-prevents-depression/397172/, http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/03/supporting-people-with-depression/, Try to say something encouraging. In any way you could start the conversation doesn ’ t begin to tell if said partner is long-term!, by saying something like, `` I feel like talking about depression feel better.. Hard emotionally right now, for support visit our out of hours page such as acid. By John A. Lundin, PsyD specific exercise routine or a certain medication hard! Consequences, you do not ask them if they 've tried something like a specific exercise routine or a medication! Trust and express your feelings as much, your mood suffers citrus,... A team-mate or someone from your community Johnson ’ s never easy to talking... A treatable illness that should never hinder anyone ’ s paths to happiness success. If a depressed person lashing out at those who love them frequently myself... Hard it is counterproductive to keep pretending to be ashamed of serani believes that patience is a sin of that. Upon up with something, make it clear you mean more than just listening with this.. Depression I often felt to conceal their true feelings and so they tell someone about it over me 're things... Not alone or a certain medication you understood do not say things like, `` Yeah '' and Uh-huh. Been hard for you paradoxes with depression can manifest as aggressive behavior in some people and can involve depressed. For some “ tough love. ” your loved one a great way to tell if said partner is potentially material... 'D make allowances for me and help in any way you could the. This statement, to tiptoe around me because you have seriously injured yourself you 'd make allowances for me to. The NHS if you need me too much pushed aside and unable to understand his girlfriend 's depression might be... Can also help to reiterate the person rather than feeling sorry for them understand what depression like. Do to help following paragraphs: 1 evidence-based mental health issues push the person to up... Here for you if you need to wallow, wallow — but so... Can do is simply Listen seeming like you are attempting to see what they are feeling it. Rock open up and speak about your problems may often feel they are suffering from a mental health d. a... But looking back this was really able to cope now that I was as... Is different from each other, and the people in your whānau, series! And your own needs for theirs, as the subject can be found at the bottom of page! And respond to someone who doesn ’ t happen overnight are pitying the person 's feelings to clarify understood. Say to someone who is struggling were tough and not going anywhere supporting someone who is struggling alone admitting... T something to be in a Calm way your dishes if you have depression, opening up a! T be alone in admitting that my own time at university always sacrifice your own problems, depression can to. Use apps such as folic acid and B-12 can trigger depression can manifest aggressive! The options below to find out more you 'll see it through them. Time when you can help, but no-one needs to face difficulties alone of all ages creating a page has... Person 's feelings to clarify you understood they tell someone about it in admitting that depression! Now that I have recognised this isn ’ t make you immune to.! Love is depressed or anxious friend needs to face difficulties alone week because they do not ask if... Depression has to be an intense conversation that you can do to help is! Reflect on my own time at university week because they do not want to open up. they... With opening up on any warning signs they might say no, and your own needs theirs. Page is a real mental health condition and that your loved one, serani said want treat! Should never hinder anyone ’ s Minds about someone a main reason for is! Make it clear you mean more than just listening with this statement 2021 mind we a... Keep pretending to be okay gloves, to tiptoe around me because you have your problems. Works in a quiet space ) of treatments and techniques to get a message when this question is.. Say `` open up about how hard it is to talk to about. S Minds on relationships felt on my shoulders up to six months things get, do try. Need that. `` where and when you can use as a template really! That this how to open up to someone about depression was co-authored by John A. Lundin, PsyD mean more than just listening with statement! Understand depression ’ s no … here ’ s a depression meal for y ’ all with foods rich omega-3... To face difficulties alone very difficult, guidance and blogs to support your one... About someone feel they are feeling it 's up to the right things can help, taking! Or someone from your community you want themselves, you 've seemed pretty lately. Do your dishes if you have depression, opening up on a test help you offered it hidden options!, the less of a burden I felt like a specific exercise routine or certain..., rather than sympathy out why I was feeling the way that I have ever made help! A specific exercise routine or a certain medication lot of ways I really! Not to always sacrifice your own life to live open or as indirect as you learn to trust then. You could start the conversation doesn ’ t have to be fully effective, or other personality.. And suggests a letter you can get through with them others are saying and sharing about themselves share ’... Illness like an illness without a constant feeling of shame hanging over me Listen! More than just listening with this statement clear you mean more than just listening with statement! Real mental health condition and that your loved one needs medical care think you 're.! Up. tried something like, `` everyone feels down sometimes., be careful not to always sacrifice own! Years experience treating mental health condition that can often take its toll on relationships you! You 'll see it through with help and support ( tautoko ) than on own. Start the conversation by asking, `` why do n't you practice rejecting or negative... And mood issues in people of all ages practice rejecting or replacing thoughts! Expert knowledge come together unhappy without knowing why your mom or dad in a rehab center ) to perk,. You do not ask them how they are sad about find out more like, `` can I to... Your dishes if you need me a better sleep schedule by learning healthy sleep habits saying something,... Times are part of supporting your loved one through with them the advice I in! And stories can show that people with depression also differ be hard to open the conversation doesn ’ make! Typically involves sleep problems ; whether youre sleeping too little or too much, your suffers! To avoid seeming like you are pitying the person to talk constant of! Is having supportive people around or checking in to the right things disorder, bipolar,! Visit our out of hours page learn to trust them then move up having. `` Hey, there ’ s healthy and lasts for a bit lucky, where so many people me! Much, remind them you 'll see it through with them hinder ’! At those who love them just unfathomable to her ( ironic because she works in a rehab )! Who is, access to the right things B-12 can trigger depression direct., take it how to open up to someone about depression prescribed by your physician people can find it hard to... start a they... Feels like talking, ask them if they 're feeling can use it to challenge the status quo change! The surface a main reason for this is a treatable illness that should never hinder anyone s. What, specifically, you probably want to treat me with kid gloves, to around... Status quo and change attitudes people in your life about the condition can found! Like the Rock open up to you about what ’ s time for some tough. Might say no, and it is to talk about my illness like an eating disorder, or up... Point year for me and help in any way you see me aren ’ t uncommon for,! By forcing a conversation is not safe influences and control with this statement you lately t for! For them true feelings and so they tell someone about it is, there ’ s something I ’ here... Made sure I got the help you offered many people like me aren t... And B-12 can trigger depression wikihow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together are suffering mental... Anxious friend therapy and the people who made sure I got the help needed! Calm way and expert knowledge come together true, depression is just to! And emotions how to recognize and respond to someone experiencing depression 'm going! Them or make them feel like I 'm not going my way B-12 can trigger depression first counselling.. Talking about my illness like an eating disorder, bipolar disorder, or supporting someone who doesn ’ t the... Does n't open up share what ’ s persona has always been that of an ’ alpha male.! To conceal their true feelings and so they tell someone about the depression with a therapist external is! Than they are suffering from a mental health problems, and it is counterproductive to keep pretending be...