Depression is a common mental disorder with a high incidence rate. When someone experiences depression, they may show symptoms like low mood, lack of energy, decreased interest, and in severe cases, thoughts of ending their life or engaging in suicidal behavior. Therefore, when dealing with people around you who have depression, remember to be gentle. Also, bear in mind that individuals with depression are usually sensitive. Some words that you might think are comforting could actually be harmful. So, please avoid saying those things!
What should you never say to someone with depression?
1. “You’re not the worst off.”
Many people believe that comparing misfortune with others can provide some comfort if they see that others are worse off. This statement might work for individuals without depression but might be inappropriate for those with depression. Telling a person with depression, “You’re not the worst off,” might make them feel as if their depressive experiences are not significant, and they should not feel depressed in the first place. Individuals with depression are already prone to feeling low, and comparing them to someone worse off won’t make them feel better about themselves. Instead, it could create resistance and hinder the improvement of their condition.
2. “You’re worthless.”
People with depression are often overwhelmed by negative emotions like inferiority, depression, and low spirits. Therefore, when accompanying someone with depression, never say, “You’re a failure.” Individuals with depression could genuinely start believing that they are failures, leading to increased self-denial, lower self-esteem, feeling useless, helpless, self-blame, and seeing themselves as a burden to the world, which may result in suicidal thoughts and hinder recovery. So, refrain from using negative phrases like this while supporting someone with depression because it will only worsen the situation.
3. “Life is so painful; you’d be better off dead.”
For mental illnesses like depression, many individuals, especially those without such conditions, may not have profound understanding. Often, family members lack the patience required while supporting someone with depression. Witnessing the various negative emotions of someone with depression can be contagious, leading to the transmission of emotions like frustration and anger to family members. In a moment of impulsiveness, one might say irrational things like, “Life is so painful; you’d be better off dead.” While this might temporarily alleviate their own emotions, it can significantly worsen the individual’s depression.
4. “Why are you so sloppy?”
Many individuals with depression experience symptoms of reduced volitional activity, resulting in poor mental and physical states. If a companion says, “Why are you so sloppy?” it could exacerbate the situation. It might intensify the disinterest in daily activities, lead to social withdrawal, neglect personal hygiene, and overall appearance. When accompanying someone with depression, please be gentle and patient. There are things you should never say!
