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Depression: how to react

I have dealt with depression almost all my life. It sucks. feeling like lying in bed all day with the curtains drawn, and then feeling like shit even when you're doing that. It broods over you and invades everyday life. I can be laughing about a joke someone just told me and then all of a sudden start to space out, and maybe start thinking a bit too much and it all results in wanting to go home and shit everyone out.


You get irritated by little things and you somehow want everyone to leave you alone yet to be there for you at the same time. It gets hard. And I know that to be on the outside of this is tiring.


If you have someone you're close to that deals with depression I hope you know that they appreciate the fuck out of you even if they can't show it. BUT, I can tell you from experience that telling someone who has depression "get over it", "go outside", "it'll pass" really doesn't help. It may in fact make them feel worse. We know you are trying to help but honestly it comes off a but rude. There is a big difference between being sad an being depressed; agony, not just pain.


Depression: how to react



Here are some things that can help you if you're dealing with someone who has depression:


1. Remember that it is not your fault. It is an internal struggle within ourselves and you are not at fault!


2. Remember to tell us you appreciate us/love us often. This one might seem like we're needy and want attention but it really does help, everyone wants to know that they are loved and when you feel like shit all the time it's good to know someone still cares.


3. Do not tell us that we need to stop being sad all the time. WE KNOW. We don't WANT to feel this way. Just like a person with anxiety KNOWS they don't need to spend thirty minutes deciding wh en to throw away a wrapper when the trashcan is all the way in the front of the class.


4. Help us get through the day. If we've been in bed all day, all week, please push us to at least sit at the dinner table and eat take out with you. It may be a big effort but helping us get out of our shell is good.


5. Essentially, we are like pets sometimes. It may take forever, but try to convince us to go outside, even if it's to sit out on the patio.


6. We know it will be okay. It is hard and dark inside our heads but in the back, somewhere, there is still light. We know that someday we won't have to take pills or go to therapy. And we know how difficult we may make it for you guys.


This is all a big mess and it's not very good but this is just some things to help you when you're dealing with someone in a deep depression, or maybe if you've noticed you teenager has become closed off to their room. All in all we just want you to know that we appreciate you and your efforts and that we wish we could be better.

Depression: how to react
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