Language is powerful, so the words we use to talk about mental health,
and towards people with mental health issues, are important.depression affects as many as one in six people. So, if you know someone
who is struggling, it’s natural to want to try to help – but here are
some things not to say.
1. “Snap out of it.”
Distinguishing between sadness and depression can be complicated, but
they’re very different things. If someone has depression, their
symptoms of sadness are often intertwined with fatigue, low or increased
appetite, a feeling of hopelessness or bleakness, and sometimes
suicidal thoughts. Telling someone to “just be happy” is extremely
unhelpful.
2. “What do you have to be depressed about?”
Of course, depression can affect any kind of person, no matter how
loved, confident or successful they are. In recent years, celebrities
including Stephen Fry, Angelina Jolie, and JK Rowling have talked about
having depression. It’s true that a sad or traumatic event can trigger a
bout of depression, but it isn’t always caused by a particular event.
Often it just happens.
3. “You should be grateful for all the good things in your life.”
No one needs a dose of guilt on top of dealing with depression.
4. “It’s all in your head.”
A
chemical imbalance can’t just be switched off, and no one chooses to
have depression. It affects people differently, but the person is likely
to feel weak, helpless, and as if there’s no way out of it.
5. “Just come out with us and drink your sorrows away.”
Alcohol is a depressant and it affects the chemistry of the brain,
increasing the risk of depression. Therefore drinking a lot isn’t
recommended for someone with depression. Depression can make you
withdrawn and chronically exhausted, so suggesting someone be more
sociable isn’t helpful.
6. “Have you tried exercise?”
This just undermines the severity of the condition. If it was as easy
as going for a run, no one would suffer from depression. Most people
battling depression have tried everything. For some people, even getting
out of bed or out of the house can seem impossible on some days.
7. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself.
The chances are that someone struggling with depression is already
incredibly hard on themselves. Just ask what you can do to help and let
them know you’re there if they need you.
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