8 Sayings That Don’t Actually Help People With Depression

Depression is often seen in completely different lights by those who have suffered from it and those that have not. If you’re fortunate enough not to have encountered depression in your life, it can be difficult to provide effective help and support. Often, the advice people lovingly offer can unknowingly cause more harm than good due to a lack of understanding about the condition. In order to truly help people with depression, it is essential to develop a deeper understanding of the condition and avoid using common pieces of advice that can further exacerbate their struggles.

1. “Maybe you need to let yourself cry it out, you’ll feel much better after”
Depression is not simply a one-off moment of sadness; it is a persistent feeling of heaviness and darkness. For this reason, simply crying it out will not provide any form of release. In fact, many individuals suffering from depression do not have the impulse or ability to cry at all.

2. “You need to get up and get out more. Once you’ve had a good day, you’ll be back to normal”
Treating depression takes time and cannot be resolved by simply having a good day. Going out and experiencing temporary relief may provide a brief respite, but it is far from being a cure-all. It is important to understand that people with depression may struggle to face social situations and may find it difficult to maintain plans, causing strain on their relationships.

3. “Stop getting caught up with negative thoughts, focus on the positive things around you”
Unfortunately, it is never as simple as rewiring one’s brain to focus on positive thoughts. Depression can distort one’s perception of reality, making it difficult to find joy in past achievements or see the positive aspects of one’s life. It is important to recognize that an outsider’s perspective on the situation may be vastly different from what the individual with depression is experiencing.

4. “Don’t worry, you always have us. Sharing more about how you feel will help”
While sharing problems can sometimes be helpful, individuals with depression are often reluctant to burden others with their struggles. They are aware that others may not fully comprehend the depth of their emotions and may not know how to react. The last thing they want is for others to think they are being whiny or exaggerating their feelings.

5. “Get on with your daily routine, and you’ll start to feel better before you know it”
Getting through daily routines can be a slow and difficult process for someone with depression. Even simple tasks such as getting out of bed, preparing for the day, eating, and sleeping become arduous chores. It is crucial to understand that completing daily routines does not dissolve depression.

6. “If only you could try a little harder to be positive, I know you would feel much better”
Recovering from depression is a challenging journey with many setbacks. It is not as simple as just being positive. Sufferers of depression often experience ups and downs, and telling them to try harder does not demonstrate a good understanding of their struggles.

7. “Setting yourself goals and focusing on achieving them will help you out of this rut”
Depressed individuals may not experience the same sense of satisfaction and fulfillment from their achievements as others do. The heaviness of depression often prevents them from fully enjoying their successes or finding motivation in achieving goals. Simply setting goals does not guarantee relief from depression.

8. “Once you’ve regained control of your emotions, you’ll be free from depression”
Depression is not only an emotional battle but also a physical one. Even when individuals believe they have regained control of their emotions, physical symptoms such as aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite can trigger their depressive symptoms again. It is important to recognize that individuals with depression are constantly fighting battles on two fronts.

In conclusion, it is crucial to educate ourselves about depression in order to provide effective support to those who are suffering. By avoiding common sayings that may unintentionally cause more harm, we can foster a better understanding of depression and offer genuine help to our loved ones.