4 Things People With Depression Fear Opening Up To Friends About

For anyone who has depression, you know how difficult it is to talk about. In fact, sometimes we just try to ignore it’s there, even though our daily lives are affected. We tell ourselves it’s easier to give in, and instead of reaching out when we’re going through it we shut out the ones we love.

 

WHO WILL UNDERSTAND?

Depression feels like a lonely world. Why bother talking about something that no one else gets? This is the way of thinking for someone who is depressed. We have feelings and needs, but reaching out is too hard. It takes too much energy. So rather than confide in someone you trust, you just let the negativity consume you.

 

WILL MY GENES KEEP ME DEPRESSED?

Knowing genetics can lead to depression is both a blessing and curse. Those of us able to trace the roots of this awful mood disorder in our family history sometimes become cynical of there ever being a way out. We focus our energies on questions that either go unasked or answered. 

Did my depression come from mom or dad’s side? Has there been anyone else in the family who went through this? With most families ashamed or in denial about mental illness, these questions can end up haunting us.

 

ARE MY Dreams sTILL IN REACH?

There is plenty those afflicted with depression want to do that we bottle up deep inside. We don’t want to feel this way, but we become so used to feeling deflated and don’t remember any other way to feel. Our depression tells us that our dreams don’t matter and won’t happen. We see our friends moving ahead and distance ourselves from them like we do our dreams.

 

Feeling Stuck

Depression doesn’t only affect the individual; it affects family, friends, anyone who is around us. With our thoughts clouded by our depression, it gets harder to recognize the pain and frustration people closest to us feel. Even if it’s brought to our attention, things might not click. We’re held at a standstill by our depression.

 

Depression Help

Your depression wants you to silence yourself—Don’t given in. There are people out there who might not understand, but at the very least care about you and want to help you. You can fix the friendships and relationships that broke down when you were at worst. You can meet new people who understand what you’re going through and want to help.

Most important, you have the power to mend your relationship with yourself so that you can get back to living your life to the fullest.