7 Things You Should Never Say To Someone Who Is Depressed | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

7 Things You Should Never Say To Someone Who Is Depressed

Talking about depression is hard, avoid saying any of these things

17
7 Things You Should Never Say To Someone Who Is Depressed
Pixabay

1. Just get some rest

Saying this to someone who is most likely spending the majority of their time in bed is not what they need to hear. When someone is depressed, they will be tired - but not the kind of tired that can be cured with a good nights sleep.

2. Why don't you try smiling a little

Often times you can't tell that a person is severely depressed because they put so much effort into putting a smile on their face every day. Eventually, faking happiness becomes exhausting. Don't make them feel like they are failing because they're not smiling. It's hard enough to get out of bed somedays.

3. Things could be worse

Stop comparing their struggle. Someone else might have it worse, but that doesn't mean their problems aren't real. By comparing their struggle to someone else's, you are failing to value their emotions.

4. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, happiness starts from within

Seriously? If happiness came from within, 1 in 10 Americans wouldn't be on antidepressants. Depression is a mental illness, it is real and so is the stigma surrounding it. If you tell someone who is depressed that their happiness comes from within, you are making them feel as though they are fully incapable of ever being happy.

5. I feel depressed too sometimes

"Depressed" is not an adjective. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness reports 43.8 million American adults – approximately 19% of the population – experiences mental illness in a given year, including but not limited to depression. This means that when you say you feel "depressed" and really you mean you're having a bad day and in a bad mood - you are undermining their mental health condition.

6. I understand how you feel

Never say this. Even if you aren't talking to someone suffering from depression, telling someone you understand what they're going through is never the right thing to do. You may be able to relate, you might think you've been through similar situations, but you will never be able to fully comprehend what is going through their head.

7. Have you tried drinking tea and taking a nice warm shower?

Depression can't be fixed with tea and sugar. Taking nice warm showers and talking about your feelings with your friends won't fix everything. Everyone copes differently, stop giving you opinion to people who are only opening up to you because they need someone to listen.

Overall, be genuine, be kind and be supportive. We're all struggling in some way.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
students
Sophia Palmerine

Dear High School Friend Group,

My sweet angels, where would I be without you guys. We all grew up together because we either met in middle school or high school and watched each other grow up and get "old." We got to go to prom together and then graduate together. Then watched each other as we continued our lives in college, joining sororities and meeting people who will impact our lives forever. It all has happened so fast.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

College In Gifs

Because we are all sad Jim Halpert

607
head on desk
Wise GEEK

Oh college, we can’t live with you, but we can’t live without you. It’s a love/hate relationship, really. College is an experience that no one can ever prepare you for, and maybe that’s a good thing. You never really expect any of the things that college encompasses until you are there. College is fun, but don’t have too much fun. C’s get degrees, but they don’t get you into graduate school.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf

The "Gossip Girl" series may be over, but Blair Waldorf's iconic character lives in our hearts forever. Blair was the queen of the Upper East Side, and a character you either loved or hated. She taught us everything we needed to know about life, love and of course, how to score a Chuck Bass. So the next time you feel a bit lost and are in need of guidance, look no further than to the Queen B herself.

As I spend my Sunday avoiding my homework and other adult responsibilities, I realized that I've watched this series over and over about a million times. Sadly, there isn't a Blair quote I don't know, so I came up with a list of a few favorites. You know you love her...xoxo

Keep Reading...Show less
class
Odyssey

College is an endless cycle of crappy, sleepless nights, tedious, boring lectures, and hours of never-ending piles of homework.

Keep Reading...Show less
two women enjoying confetti

Summer: a time (usually) free from school work and a time to relax with your friends and family. Maybe you go on a vacation or maybe you work all summer, but the time off really does help. When you're in college you become super close with so many people it's hard to think that you won't see many of them for three months. But, then you get that text saying, "Hey, clear your schedule next weekend, I'm coming up" and you begin to flip out. Here are the emotions you go through as your best friend makes her trip to your house.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments