Im Afraid To Tell Anyone I Feel Depressed
Depression is hard and confusing. Having to then keep that a secret from other people can be exhausting and alienating. When you are dealing with something so difficult, the instinct to want to share can be halted by the shame you might feel or the fear about how other people might react. Especially if we dont understand why we feel this way, the potential for someone to reject us or to tell us the same awful things we tell ourselves seems overwhelming.
Its scary to share anything, let alone something that feels so personal. But youd be surprised to find out how many people you know have also dealt with or are dealing with depression. If they havent themselves, most people have family members or friends who have. While not everyone will understand, many people do.
No matter what path you choose, its important to reach out to others to get help. Depression often convinces you that other people wont want to hear your struggle or wont be able to help. The experience of many people shows otherwise. Whether its a friend, family member, teacher, coach, therapist, support group, text line, hotline, or stranger on the internetgetting it out and acknowledging how were feeling to someone else can be a massive first step.
Remember, you dont have to tell everyone in your life, but its really important to tell someone. You do not have to deal with this alone.
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What If I Am Not Happy With My Treatment
If you are not happy with your treatment you can:
- talk to your doctor to see if they can suggest changes,
- get an advocate to help you speak your doctor,
- ask for a second opinion if you feel it would help,
- contact Patient Advice and Liaison Service and see whether they can help, or
- make a complaint.
There is more information about these options below.
Advocacy
An advocate is independent from the NHS. They are free to use. They can be useful if you find it difficult to get your views heard.
There are different types of advocates available. Community advocates can support you to get a health professional to listen to your concerns. And help you to get the treatment that you would like. They arent available in all areas.
You can ask an advocate to help you make a complaint. Advocates that do this are called NHS complaints advocates. They are free to use and don t work for the NHS. They re available in all areas.
You can search online to search for a local advocacy service. If you cant find a service you can call our advice service 0808 801 0525 . You can email us too at . We will look for you.
Second opinion
Talk to your doctor about your treatment to see if you can resolve the problem with them first. If you dont agree with their decisions about diagnosis or treatment, you could ask for a second opinion. You are not legally entitled to a second opinion, but your doctor might agree to it if it would help with treatment options.
‘PALS’
Complaints
- Advocacy by clicking here.
Also Known As Major Depressive Disorder Depression Is A Mental Health Disorder That Negatively Affects How People Feel Behave And Think
This disorder causes intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, emptiness, and shame. People with depression may lose interest in activities and things they once enjoyed. Their performance at school or work may also decline, and they may act differently around their loved ones. Although its a mental illness, depression can manifest itself both psychologically and mentally. Many people struggle with this disorder but dont know how to tell their loved ones or reach out for help. If youre in this situation, our Banyan mental health center is sharing some tips on how to tell someone youre depressed that can help.
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Why People With Depression May Be Hesitant To Open Up About It:
One in six people will deal with depression at some point in their life. That means its likely that you or someone you know has gone through it. And yet a lingering stigma about this rather common mental illness remains.
Zainab Delawalla, a clinical psychologist in Atlanta, said that just as youre not to blame for a physical health condition, youre not to blame for a mental health condition either.
People erroneously think having depression means they lack strength of character when, in fact, it is no more your fault for having depression than having seasonal allergies, Delawalla said. People feel far more ashamed of having a mental illness than they do physical illnesses, and it leads them to isolate or suffer in silence.
The good news? While misconceptions about depression still exist, the public understanding of the disorder is improving, Chicago-based therapist Anna Poss said.
There is more information about depression available than ever before, she said. We have more people speaking openly and candidly about their mental health struggles. It is becoming more and more likely that people will have had some education about or exposure to mental health treatment.
How Else Can Parents Help
Parents can help in lots of ways. Talk with them about what you want their help with. Here are some of the things parents can do to help. You might think of other things that aren’t on this list. But this list can give you and your parent some ideas.
Parents can:
- help you practice skills you learn in therapy
- remind you that they love and believe in you
- let you know they see the good in you, and are proud of you
- keep expecting good things from you
- talk through problems with you
- ask you about good things that happen in your day
- help with homework or projects you’re having trouble with, or get you a tutor
- hold you to your responsibilities at home and at school
- help you get enough exercise, sleep, and healthy food
- help you limit the time you spend on screens and social media
- help you wake up in the morning at the right time, but do it in a friendly way
- do things with you that you both enjoy walk, play a sport or game, watch a movie, do a craft, or cook
These things may seem simple, but they add up. They start to change the way you think and feel. They can lift your mood, and help you think better about yourself. They can help you and your parent feel close. That’s a recipe for feeling better, even if you’re going through depression.
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Do You Want To Talk About It Im Here When Youre Ready
You cant force someone to talk, but knowing youre available can really help them feel supported.
If they havent been forward with you about their depression, you may want to mention youve noticed theyre having a hard time and youre there if they want to talk. If you simply ask Are you OK? they may be used to pretending and reply Im fine.
If theyre not ready to talk now, remind them youre here for them when theyre ready. When theyre having a hard time and need someone to talk to, they may remember your offer and come to you.
Having A Positive Conversation
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How Can I Help Someone With Depression
Depression is a serious but treatable disorder that affects millions of people, from young to old and from all walks of life. It gets in the way of everyday life, causing tremendous pain, hurting not just those suffering from it but also impacting everyone around them.
If someone you love is depressed, you may be experiencing any number of difficult emotions, including helplessness, frustration, anger, fear, guilt, and sadness. These feelings are all normal. Its not easy dealing with a friend or family members depression. And if you neglect your own health, it can become overwhelming.
That said, your companionship and support can be crucial to your loved ones recovery. You can help them to cope with depression symptoms, overcome negative thoughts, and regain their energy, optimism, and enjoyment of life. Start by learning all you can about depression and how to best talk about it with your friend or family member. But as you reach out, dont forget to look after your own emotional healthyoull need it to provide the full support your loved one needs.
Understanding depression in a friend or family member
Depression is a serious condition. Dont underestimate the seriousness of depression. Depression drains a persons energy, optimism, and motivation. Your depressed loved one cant just snap out of it by sheer force of will.
When To Tell Someone Youre Dating That You Have Depression
If you have depression, opening up to the people in your life about the condition can be healing. But it isnt always easy, especially when that person is someone youre newly dating.
Although awareness about depression is increasing, the condition is still misunderstood by some. Depression manifests differently in different people, but symptoms may include prolonged and pervasive feelings of sadness and hopelessness, a loss of interest in once-enjoyable activities, a lack of energy that makes even small tasks seem impossible and sleep issues, like insomnia or sleeping too much. Some people also deal with angry outbursts, frustration and agitation.
DEPRESSION: what if u just ignored all of your deadlines and friends and the idea of showeringME: depression, no
Dana Schwartz
Explaining all of this to a person youre still getting to know can be nerve-wracking because you never know how they might react.
Christie M. from Littleton, Colorado, experienced depression for the first time after she got married and moved to a new city. It was difficult, at first, for her to describe what she was going through to her husband it can be even harder to open up to a person you dont know as well. She told HuffPost she would encourage people with depression to bring it up when they feel ready. Allow this person to understand and support you.
We asked therapists to share some of their recommendations about when and how to discuss your depression with the person youre dating.
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Urge Them To Talk With A Doctor
Depression treatments are a very important part of recovering from depression, but people often feel ashamed of their condition or pessimistic about whether treatment will really help.
If your friend has not yet seen a doctor, encourage them to seek help and reassure them that there is nothing wrong with asking for assistance. Depression is a realand treatableillness.
If your friend is already seeing a doctor, offer to help with picking up medications and being on time for appointments.
How Is Depression Treated
The first step to getting treatment is to see your GP. If your GP thinks you have depression, they will talk to you about the treatments they can offer.
What are talking therapies?
Talking therapy is a general term to describe any psychological therapy that involves talking. You may also hear the terms counselling or psychotherapy used to describe talking therapy.
Therapy should offer you a safe, confidential place to talk about your life and anything confusing, painful or uncomfortable. It allows you to talk with someone who is trained to listen attentively and to help you improve things.
Talking therapy often takes place face to face. But you may also be able to have therapy over the phone, by video call or online. There are different types of talking therapy that you might be offered. These include:
- cognitive-behavioural therapy,
- mindfulness based therapy, and
- counselling.
The type of therapy you are offered will depend on the cause of your symptoms and their severity. Therapies may also have different levels based on how long or intense the treatment is.
Ask your GP about therapy if you think it might help. Some of these therapies will be available in your area. Some areas offer a self-referral option for NHS talking therapies. Please refer to your local Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service to find out about this option.
You may also be able to access therapy privately or through your employer in an Employee Assistance Programme.
How can exercise help?
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Feeling Down And Being Depressed Is Not The Same
Symptoms of depression can affect a person physically, mentally, and emotionally. Common symptoms include trouble sleeping, appetite changes, and problems concentrating. They affect how you think, what you do, and how you feel physically. A depressed person may not feel motivated to do their usual activities. A person may feel low on energy, lack interest in activities they once enjoyed, or want to isolate themselves from others. Relationships with family members, friends, and coworkers may be affected.
Someone experiencing symptoms of depression may not take care of themselves as they should. The way they think about their health, such as how to manage chronic issues such as arthritis, diabetes, or high blood pressure, may leave one feeling discouraged. When a depressed person feels hopeless, self-care is less of a priority and potentially increasing personal health risks. Depression is a medical condition that affects you emotionally and physically. However, these elements are influenced by each other, leaving a drastic effect on a persons thoughts and actions.
What To Do If You Think A Friend Is Considering Suicide
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, help is out there. Reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255 for free, confidential support 24/7.
Suicide isnt inevitable. We can all help prevent suicide.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline offers you a toolkit for supporting people on social media, down to specific platforms like Facebook and Twitter. They help you determine how to identify someone in need of support and who to contact within the social media community if youre worried about their safety.
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When Should I Seek Help
If your symptoms of depression are causing problems with relationships, work, or your family — and there isn’t a clear solution — you should see a professional.
Talking with a mental health counselor or doctor can help prevent things from getting worse, especially if your symptoms stay for any length of time.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or feelings, get help right away.
It’s important to understand that feeling depressed doesn’t mean you have depression. That condition involves not only changes in mood, but also changes in sleep, energy, appetite, concentration, and motivation.
If you have physical symptoms like these and find yourself feeling depressed much of the time for days or weeks, see your doctor.
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Getting The Support You Need