How can I make my friends and family understand that my depression is a serious issue, not just me being dramatic?

I would like to start off by saying I am very sorry you're going through this issue. It can be really discouraging and frustrating being in a situation where people aren't listening to you and are making you feel invalidated. I think the best way to help them understand it may be to show them some articles and research on it. Sometimes it is easy to ignore the symptoms they may see in a person but having concrete "evidence" such as scientific research may help. It may also help for them to talk to a mental health provider or someone who supports people with depression who may be able to help them understand that it is a real issue.

Firstly, choose a proper time to talk to them. Maybe you need to find a time that you can ensure you have a long or enough period to explain your situation and let them know that you have a serious attitude towards this thing. Try to make the talk as formal as possible. The reason is that if you just try to chat with your family members or friends, they will think it is a casual chat and would not take it seriously. I strongly suggest you to talk to your parents when you have a family meeting or after dinner. And talk to your friends maybe on weekends so that both of you have enough time to understand each other.

Sit down with them in a safe, neutral space. Make sure they understand it is a serious conversation. Let them know how you feel, and share what they could do to help you out. It is important that you get all of your points out, so they fully understand and they can completely help to their abilities. Let them know what you need, and how to handle when you may not be feeling well. Everyone has dark days, so letting them know what they can do (bringing food/water to you, leaving you alone, staying with you, etc.). Helplessness is not a fun feeling.

Depression is tricky for those who don't experience it as deeply as you. It's hard, and I'm sorry they're having trouble understanding. If you want them to understand I suggest that you do some research on your own. Look up and print out articles about depression and find studies that talk about the depression you experience. Look up what doctors are concluding about depression rather than random interest confessionals. I would also suggest you research therapists in your area. Present this research and information to your family and friends. They will take you seriously if you are taking it seriously. By actively showing interest in solving your problem they will understand that you are not feeling well and want to feel better.

Try to engage with them on a personal level where there's little room for distraction and have time to really delve into all your feelings and also have the space to react and take time for yourself if you feel overwhelmed during the conversation. Be willing to talk about your feelings and why you feel this way. It may help to bring up specific examples as long as it doesn't feel triggering and recognize that in the end, this is for you and you can leave at any time from the conversation and reach out for support from other people if you need it.

What has helped me is rationally explaining them how the illness works. If you don’t know much about how depression develops or how it works, you will profit yourself, if you take the time to learn something about it. It’s called psycho education and it’s very commonly used to help patients as well as their friends and family understand and handle the illness, as well. Seen from a rational point of view, it’s not only less scary for you to have to handle it but will also help the people around you understand what is going on. I wish you all the best!

growing up for me was difficult. many people in my family suffered from mental health issues and various disorders. so my advice on making them see how much depression in affecting you is to sit down with your family, gather them around and have a real open honest heart to heart conversation about how much your mental health and depression matters to you. explain to them how your depression makes you feel and what options there are for you to start the path for happiness. ask them if they have ever fallen on hard times and ask them how they felt.

Be open about it. Try to explain how it feels like and have a lot of patience, it will take time for them to come to terms with it

Show them research or if you go to the doctors together have them speak about it there. If they are friends and they don't try to understand or anything I wouldn't continue to call them my friend.

sometimes people will not understand and we cannot make them we can try to explain it but that dont always work if they love us they will understand

State how it has affected you, how you've been struggling to cope - show them the physical drain as well as the emotional and mental, give them extra information such as articles or short videos so to give them a better understanding. But this situation truly is out of your hands, you can merely give them resources to come to a conclusion but you can't force them to change their minds. Hopefully they'll soon learn to support you. And if no, always come here, because we definitely will.

I think sitting down with loved ones and explaining how you feel and why - as best as you can - might be helpful. Emphasise that you really need their support. I guess it is important for loved ones to know so they can help you.