What to say to a loved one who is depressed

Even the Bible says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). The other day I covered things you should not say to a loved one if you don’t want your name to come up in her therapy sessions. It covered a lot of groun so I. To find out some great things people said to a loved one “coming out” about being depresse we asked our mental health community to share reactions that stuck out to them.

If you’re in a position of supporting someone with depression and don’t know what to say (or do), maybe some of these will inspire you. If your loved one has bipolar disorder, there may be times that they will feel depressed.

It’s a good idea to ask your depressed loved one how you can help. Keeping a daily routine is very helpful but can seem overwhelming for people with depression. Communicating that you are open to helping out with daily needs (laundry, pet care, light cleaning) shows that you want your loved one to feel supported and cared for during treatment. What seems obvious to you might seem like a fantasy to them.

Your depressed loved one can’t just “snap out of it” by sheer force of will. The symptoms of depression aren’t personal. It’s also common for depressed people to say hurtful things and lash out in anger.

It’s exhausting, painful and hard to know how to respond.

In fact, because of distorted thinking, the depressed individual might believe their loved one is a contributor. But even when that is not the case, the parent or partner may experience an internal battle over what to say or not to say. Online Therapy with a Licensed Counselor.

Available Anytime, Anywhere You Need It. The Time is Now to Put Yourself First. There are certain guidelines you should take into consideration when helping a loved one who is feeling down. People with depression prefer to be treated in a certain way. Symptoms of depression can also make depressed people feel like a burden to their loved ones.

Communicating that you want to help by driving loved ones to appointments and assisting with other treatment goals lessens the feeling of being a burden and opens the door to communication. Maybe you feel like you’re walking on eggshells because you’re afraid of upsetting them even more. Maybe you’re at such a loss that you’ve adopted the silent approach. For more on what to say or do for a depressed loved one , click on this link. Nancy Virden, compassionate writer and speaker, brings her experience of brokenness and healing to the table, offering insights as only one who has been there can.

Appointment, Start Therapy Today! Get the Support You Need! If you have a loved one who is not severely depressed but still struggling, Dr. Saltz says you should urge them to seek treatment.

Asking questions and listening are two powerful weapons you can use when you partner in your loved one’s fight against depression.

When we don’t have the energy to talk. When things get ba we don’t have the energy to do much. That’s when you need to shut up. But it can be tricky to know what to say — especially if you don’t understand what it’s really like to experience depression.

Depression is exhausting. If you love someone who is depresse please resolve never to ask them why. Be mindful of the darkness, lethargy, hopelessness and loneliness they’re going through. I’ve been thinking about that, and here’s my list.

Supporting Someone with Bipolar - For Family and Friends. Being depressed is not the same thing as just being sad about something. While some of these thoughts have been helpful to some people, the majority of them are not, and can even make things worse. What not to say to someone with depression. Here are a few things that you should NOT to say to a depressed person or someone struggling with anxiety or some other mental illness: 1. What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.

You can always find someone worse off than you. Do not leave a suicidal person alone. Remove all lethal items from the home. Show your depressed loved one you care.

In the depths of an episode, he or she may not believe “I love you.