Whats Going Through Your Mind Right Now
âAsk non-judgmental questions about how the person feels and what is going through their mind because it gives that person an opportunity to vent process, but also gives you insight into how they might need support,â Given tells Bustle. âI think itâs always good to try to gather some info because the way we experience hardship and the way we like to receive support can be so individualized,â she adds.
How Are You Managing Your Depression Would You Like Me To Visit The Doctor With You
Anyone who has depression should have a treatment plan. It may not always include medication, but it would consist of regular monitoring from a doctor.
Asking how they are managing can allow you some insight into their treatment plan. If they havent seen a doctor, offer to go along with them so that they will be more comfortable. Likewise, if they have seen a doctor, but their symptoms have worsened, offer to go with them again.
What Not To Say And Why
I know exactly how you feel.Why? Because no one knows exactly how anyone else feels. This is not a helpful way to make someone feel understood when their depression has become overwhelming.
Everyone gets depressed sometimes.Why? Because it sounds dismissive and its not true. Everyone gets sad sometimes or has a bad day. Everyone does not get depressed.
You have no reason to be depressed.Why? Because it can make people feel guilty, ashamed, or like their feelings dont count. Life events can sometimes play a role, but depression often has no specific reason, trigger, or cause.
Hang in there. It will pass.Why? Because its unhelpful and untrue. Chances are, theyve been feeling this way for some time, and it hasnt gotten better and thats why theyre asking for support.
Dont be so negative. Think happy thoughts.Why? Because if it was that simple, depression wouldnt exist. This statement implies that depression is a choice which is false. You cant just will or wish it away.
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Give Yourself Time To Heal
People fail to understand that healing from a challenging issue is not as simple as they imagine. It takes time, and when they think its gone, they begin to have a few flashbacks of how it happened. That alone could cause a different sadness on its own.
Give yourself time to heal is one of the best messages you can send to any of your friends going through this stage of uncertainty to bring more hope. Let them know their complete joy wont come back at once, which is why they need time to heal.
Assure Them They’re Not Weak Or Defective
Those who are coping with depression tend to feel weak or that there is something wrong with them. While depression is an illness, those who live with it may feel that it’s a character flaw.
Reassure your friend that depression really is an illness caused by a biochemical imbalance in the brain, and it does not mean that they are weak. In fact, it takes a great deal of strength to fight back, so they are probably much stronger than they think they are.
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How To Cheer Someone Up Who Is Heartbroken
In case you want to learn more about how to cheer someone up who is heartbroken, here are the 3 ways that you should take a look.
· Give Them Hugs
This may sound simple or stupid but believe me it works so well. A hug can relieve a lot of stress and make someone feel better. It is very comforting to have someone you love hug you when you are heartbroken. Recent survey reveals that your body releases a chemical that naturally relieves stress that is known as oxytocin during hugging. You should not include words to such hugs because hugging conveys loving care when mere words cant do it.
· Volunteer Together
Offering to volunteer is one of the best ways to relieve stress in the modern world. Recent surveys reveal that volunteering assists a stressed person to raise self-esteem, develop a new perspective, and sleep better. Volunteering is an excellent solution if you are searching for the ways to cheer someone up. We have several opportunities that you can lend a helping hand. You may decide to go for charities such as homeless shelters or tutor just to name a few. You will discover that we have individuals who are going through tougher times. Moreover, you will also get a chance to share your life experience with somebody who needs uplifting.
· Share A Walk
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Help Them Find Support
Your friend may not be aware theyre dealing with depression, or they may be unsure how to reach out for support.
Even if they know therapy could help, it can be daunting to search for a therapist and make an appointment.
If your friend seems interested in counseling, offer to help them review potential therapists. You can help your friend list things to ask potential therapists and things they want to mention in their first session.
Encouraging them and supporting them to make that first appointment can be so helpful if theyre having a hard time with it.
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Motivating Texts Of Support
Take Some Time Off And Rest
There are a few people out there who can relax and rest when theyre facing challenging problems. But, not everyone can do that. You can text this to your friend though most of your friends may not like to hear this, you still need to tell them.
Rest doesnt only relax sad feelings and emotions it makes you rethink and strategize faster to solve them. If you send sentences like this as part of a whole text, it means you want the best for your friend and wouldnt want them to die because of an issue.
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Youre Important To Me
Its always nice to know youre loved or wanted. When someones depressed, they may feel the exact opposite.
Thats why telling someone that theyre important to you, that you need them in their life, and that they matter can be so comforting. You can also be more specific to what you love about them or how you appreciate them for something they do.
Do You Want To Go For A Walk
If youre close with your friends, they need your support to face a problem, and you know text messages may not do the trick send them a text asking if they would like to go for a walk. Going for a walk doesnt only mean walking on the street.
It could be driving them around to a restaurant, going out for coffee, taking them to see a movie at the cinema, or attending a show. It depends on your friend and what theyd prefer to do at that time to loosen them up a bit.
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Messages To Help Cheer Someone Up Over Text
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What do you want to do for your friends or family members when theyre experiencing tough times? Go to their rescue, right?
You may not have the option to do so in person or even by phone. Maybe youre 12 hours behind your friend who lives in Russia or you cant possibly sneak a call to a loved one into your busy schedule.
Jump ahead to these sections:
Why not cheer someone up via text? The following examples show the simple but effective messages you can send to someone going through a difficult experience.
Tip: If someone you know recently lost a loved one, our post-loss checklist can help them sort through the complicated tasks and challenges they might be facing.
You’re Stronger Than You Know
When you remind a person of the strength they have to overcome a situation you naturally add to their courage to face that challenge. For instance, a friend going through heartbreak. Maybe theyve been through a couple of toxic relationships.
And as you may already know, heartbreaks make you feel like you wont survive the next minute without your ex. Sending this sentence as one of the consoling messages to your friend is another way to boost their happiness in times of deep sadness. It will strengthen their hearts to move.
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Texts To Send A Loved One Living With Depression
While a text message cant cure depression, it can remind someone of their worth and let them know theyre not alone. But it can be tricky to know what to say especially if you dont understand what its really like to experience depression.
People who are depressed know that theyre not in a desirable condition, and yet they still want to be viewed as desirable, Shenell D. Evans, Ph.D., a psychologist in New York, told The Mighty. Compassionate expressions are more likely to help people move in a healthy direction. How many of us might feel lured out of sadness when someone expresses they miss or need us?!
Evans recommended openly acknowledging their struggle without adding negativity. You can do this by neutrally describing signs your loved one may be struggling and letting them know youre there for them, even if they dont have the energy to reach back out. Avoid tough love or sarcastic comments and refrain from negative judgements.
To help you brainstorm some messages to send your friend, we asked our Mighty community what text theyd like to receive in the midst of depression. If someone in your life needs a little reminder that could go a long way, here are some messages that might inspire you to send a text of your own.
Heres what they told us:
What To Say To Someone Whos Depressed
One of the worst things about depression is the loneliness and the sense of the world getting on with things without you. If someone tells you they have depression, know that they are showing you part of the beautiful, messy, unpredictable frailties that come with being human. We all have them. It can be difficult to know what to say to someone who is depressed, but know that its unlikely you can make anything worse.
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What Texting Is Like With Depression
This story was published on The Mighty by Sarah Schuster, a platform for people facing health challenges to share their stories and connect.
When depression hits, it can hit hard. It might take all the energy a person has to go about their daily routine, if they can even manage that. So when a friend texts, even a simple Whats up? can be too much to answer. The person might be worried about what to say or might simply not be able to muster the energy to write a response.
When people currently dealing with depression dont respond to their friends, it doesnt mean they arent interested in maintaining that friendship. It doesnt mean they dont care. It means they might momentarily need a bit of extra understanding and love even if that means patiently waiting for their reply.
To find out what people with depression wish they could tell their friends when they cant text back, we asked people in our mental health community to share what they wish their friends knew.
Heres what they said:
I really want to talk to you, honestly I do. But some times I just dont feel like talking to anyone. Please dont take any offense to it. I still love you. And Ill be back once my head clears up. Kelly B.
Im not flaking, ignoring you or mad at you. I cannot get myself to be levelheaded or even just stop overthinking or worrying. Please be patient with me and know when I figure this out or can control this feeling I will reach out. Be patient with me. Ashly D.
Leave Your Space For Some Time
The probability of slipping into depression from sadness is higher when people are left alone in their personal space. Send a few text messages advising your friend to step out of their homes or offices to stretch their bodies or breathe in some fresh air.
Of course, you may need to sound a bit firm and persuasive, especially if you feel thats how you should talk to them to listen. But, if theyre defensive, you may want to say it as politely as possible to avoid causing additional sadness or a conflict.
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Is There Anything I Can Do To Help You
Since a symptom of depression is fatigue, your loved one may be too tired to do basic things. They may skip grocery shopping, which means they wont have healthy food to eat. Housework may be too much for them, and helping them tidy up could make a huge difference.
There are many tasks that most people take for granted that are a massive task for a depressed person. Offering to help can alleviate some stress and make them feel like they dont have so much to handle.
Finding The Words To Help
Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
Knowing what to say to someone who is depressed isn’t always easy. Try not to be dissuaded by worry over saying the “wrong” thing. Too many people with clinical depression feel alonea state that only worsens their condition. If you don’t know what to say, just say thatand tell your friend that you are there for them.
This article discusses what you can do when you want to say more, but have a hard time expressing what you feel. It also covers statements that someone who is depressed might find helpful to hear.
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How To Cheer Someone Up When They Are Sad
Do you know how to cheer someone up when they are sad? Here are the 3 simple ways that you can try.
· Assist Him Or Her To Get A Good Laugh
Having a chuckle is among the best approaches to overcome grief. I agree with the old saying that states that laughter is the best medication for stress. Its important to note that nothing including pain will last forever. You can use sarcasm, jokes, and puns to assist a sad friend to crack a hearty smile. Laughing diverts the attention of the individual from the current situation. It makes him have a pleasant feeling, and a good laugh can bring a new perspective into the situation. The person may begin to see the current situation as a stepping stone to greater heights.
· A Spa Experience
You should not struggle with the ways to cheer someone up if you can offer them a spur experience. It is not very expensive to have a day spa. Having a spa day can be the best treatment for both of you. You just need to unwind, relax, and enjoy the company of each other. You can stop the world for an hour or two by treating someone who us under duress. Both of you will feel pampered, refreshed, and relaxed. A spa day is a great way of refreshing and hitting the ground running once more.
· Ask Them Open Ended Questions
Focus On Other Happy Things
Sadness could make people feel like their entire life has crumbled. It happens, but they need friends and loved ones to remind them about other things they have that will bring more happiness. Send them texts reminding them of their career success or the beautiful car they have.
It could be their lovely kids or future vacations theyve planned and paid for. These are things that are enough to make them smile and have greater hope for living. A text like this is one way to make your friends recognize and appreciate the things that bring positive feelings.
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How Can I Best Support You
The best way to support someone isnât always obvious. Asking them how theyâd like to be supported gives them an opportunity to suggest something effective. If they donât know what kind of support they need, Given suggests offering an idea and asking them if that would work for them. Try something like: âIf I were in your shoes, Iâd really want someone to just get coffee with me and talk. Would that be helpful right now?â