How to tell someone you're depressed without saying it?
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Last Updated: 03/27/2023 at 7:28pm
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You can write about depression from your perspective how it is to live with it and let them read it... if they are interested to understand more they will find the way how to talk you about it more.
Saying it straight out is always the best thing to make sure they are on the same level with you. But you can tell them what's going on. What are you thinking about? Is something bothering you? Do you need to talk to a professional? And so forth. Be honest. (:
You could tell them you are no longer interested in the things that used to excite you. You don't feel the slightest bit of happiness upon waking, and you have miserable sleeps at night. You could tell them you are weepy at times for no apparent reason and you may even have physical aches and pains in your body with no explanation.
Anonymous
May 5th, 2016 12:08pm
If you ended up with miserable life because you listened to your priest, or your parents, or you followed what someone on tv told said, then you deserve it baby, crybaby cry.. no heal no more, no lies...
The look on your face can usually express how you feel. You don't always have to say you're depressed to show it. Also the way you act can show it.
Small actions or words can lead to them understanding. Eventually you'll have to outright tell them, but small conversations about feelings and emotions can help prepare them for that conversation.
Ask them if they have experienced sadness before and tell them what made you sad. You can tell them the story if you want or ask them what they think about depression. Based on what they think you can tell them that you are depressed if you feel like it. You can ask them for help too because you feel like you are overwhelmed for example. Most people have experienced depression, so if you are talking to an adult don't be afraid of saying it.
You should try your best to have a conversation with someone about this. You should prepare for the conversation and accept that you are ready and willing to talk about it. You should make sure that you are going to tell someone that you trust. If your telling a friend Can your friend be insensitive to you at times? Or is she going on with big troubles currently, if yes it would be best to either try and find someone else you can trust or maybe just tell her you're going through some major issues but that you’re working on them. Make sure to think about what information you want to give your friend. How much are you going to share, and how your friend might react. Write down what you want to say and try your best to practice your conversation. To tell your friend you should plan a casual activity with your friend, try your best to not do it around multiple people and that you two are alone. Ease into talking about your depression whenever it feels right and communicate to your friend whether the information is confidential. (private). Say what you have practiced and make sure to make your friend feel comfortable. If your friend seems uneasy, break the tension by thanking her for being there and listening. Try and keep your friend engaged and if you feel 100% comfortable try and pick out the 'next step'. When you feel that it's time to move on from the conversation try your best to say something like. "We should go home." etc..
Anonymous
March 2nd, 2016 1:30am
If you can't say that you're depressed, then describe how you feel, it'll have the same effect. You could also try writing a letter to that person talking about it, if you physically can't say it
Anonymous
March 4th, 2016 12:02am
You don't. Or at least from my experience, it's just not a very good way and people won't get it because that's too roundabout.
Trying to beat around the bush and being indirect might feel like a good idea, maybe because it feels so obvious to you you think others should be able to pick up on it, you're uncomfortable talking about having depression, you feel distrustful of others in regards to your depression and worried they won't understand so you don't want to risk it or etc.
But regardless of your reasoning, if you want to tell someone you have depression, with hopes that they'll be understanding, supportive, etc. I've found it's best to be bluntly straightforward--with someone who you trust.
If you can't do that or think it's not a good idea, then maybe it's better to determine if you can trust the person you want to tell, by getting their views on mental health issues or the like, by how close you are to that person, things like that.
But in the end, I don't believe there is any way to tell someone about having depression, if they don't know already, without directly saying it. From my experience that process is far too muddled and only confusing for both sides involved, without any understanding being reached.
Anonymous
August 19th, 2017 9:45pm
Depends what you mean by not saying it. If you just don't want to say the exact words just saying that you are struggling and think you need some help can be enough especially if the person knows you well. They may have noticed changes in your behaviour a d mood already. . Just describing how you feel will alert most people, Not being able to sleep, finding it difficult to get up the morning, lack of appetite, feeling worthless, I suffered from post natal depression I didn't know that was what it was. I called a help line and said I was confused and explained my symptoms and they told me it sounded like depression which I hadn't really considered.
this is a great question and i command the person that posts it out there. Most of the times people do not want to share this type of subject with anyone thinking people might "run for the hills" once is shared but most of the times that is not the case. One of the ways i think you can indirectly bring it up is by contrasting for example; remember i used to enjoy i.e. going out, laughing, working out, etc., well I have noticed for a while that i don't enjoy this things anymore. Have you noticed that too? I think I have been feeling like this since i.e. i moved to this city, left for college, changed my job, etc. Its really difficult because I feel i.e. not motivated, hopeless, disconnected, etc. There in all this context you are pretty much presenting the way you are feeling without labeling it.
However, as a disclaimer let me add the most important thing here is how you feel.. and to validate your own feelings if necessary look for professional assistance or support groups.
Anonymous
September 6th, 2018 2:33am
I list some of my symptoms. For example, if I've lost interest in things I normally like I'll talk about how I miss doing such and such but can't seem to find the motivation or interest. If it's a one-time thing my family and friends won't probe much, but if it becomes a trend they know that something more is going on and it is more likely that they will ask about my overall health emotionally and physically. I think the word "depressed" is sometimes used carelessly in media. To me, not being able to take a shower is different than feeling sad about a situation. Of course, it's important to have boundaries and only engage in these probing conversations with safe people.
Simply dont use the word depressed, or despression and use other words to express how you feel and if they are somewhat smart they will be able to indentify.
Anonymous
August 2nd, 2018 6:07pm
describe how you feel, although it’s not a easy thing to do it’ll definitely help out in the long run.
Anonymous
June 27th, 2018 4:51pm
If you don't want to say you're depressed, you could say something like "I haven't been feeling myself lately," or "I'm feeling down and need some help getting back to feeling myself again."
I am depressed can be a hard thing to say to someone else. Explaining your symptoms can be helpful in helping another person understand what you are experiencing. Saying " I am tired, tired in my body and in my mind." I feel like I just need a break, time away from everything."
Here's some quick phrases that can help others understand that you are struggling with some internal battles:
I'm not feeling like myself lately. I'm having a hard time seeing things clearly. Sometimes I worry my emotions are getting the better of me. My mind is a little fuzzy and I don't know what's bothering me. I'm not sad, but I am having a hard time finding motivation. I feel like I'm missing something, but I can't put my finger on it.
Anonymous
August 13th, 2017 5:00am
It's not easy and I've even spent approximately the last 10 years of my life wondering the same thing. The only thing that has kept me alive is to go against the humanistic grain and take note of what tiny, positive attributes that actually do exist in the world and when that's not enough, I think about the people I would hurt if I were to disappear from being depressed. I know it sounds cliche but when your holding on by threads and caught in a mental landslide, it can be hard to make proactive decisions when the world seems to be against you. I feel like when I do finally say something to someone, it will just get blurred out when I've past the point where none of the usual methods of coping work for me anymore. The truth and reality is that no one will understand you, that hasn't dealt with depression. It's just the way the world is, I can only suggest making a friend that can understand your troubles and heart aches, even though you may find yourself in the predicament of disliking everybody and everything like I do, you have to give yourself hope, even a false hope that you know to be false. I often wonder if my life would be better off just waking up and magically having the mindset of the majority of the population that are ignorant to most things that depress you. Such as the way the world works or how stupid people are and the order that they prioritize their lives and what they make important. I don't know how to say it but just hang in there and maybe make a friend, with as little detail as possible, that's the best I have to offer because the answer will be different for every one of us out there that's like this. It's a hard life but just find your light. Find what illuminates you and if that light happens to be telling your loved ones what you deal with then the path to finding the proper method of doing so belongs to YOU. Good luck and love from me.
Try to convey that you are having trouble performing everyday tasks that are normally very easy for you. Although, its just better to try and put your trust in someone and say your mind.
Anonymous
September 25th, 2016 7:48am
The best way to say anything is to say it outright. Truth, Honesty, Love and Beauty will save the world. Go to your parents, friends, therapist, counselor, doctor, or other trusted professional and say "I'm depressed and I think I may need some help." It's okay. *hug*
Instead of straight up saying "I'm depressed" try talking about how you are feeling, if you are feeling in a constant low mood or not. Try listing the symptoms you're feeljng
how about telling her about some friend that she was depressed and telling her symptoms and that how it helped when she started treatment , this will make him think that do i have those symptoms of depression
Anonymous
March 5th, 2016 8:24pm
You get that feeling when you lose your self confidence and when you feel the efforts you put to succeed is the limit. Instead work harder to achieve your goals with a positive attitude. Take up new and tough challenges. In case you come out successful, it would be a moment to cherish and will boost your confidence for a life time!
Anonymous
June 27th, 2019 11:07am
If it’s someone who has known you for a while, they probably would have picked up on the symptoms by now. The fact that you’re losing interest in all the things that you used to be interested in is usually the first indicator. If they are really close to you, they would also notice how your eating and sleeping patterns have changed. They would also get clued in due to the mood swings. Maybe you could tell them about how you have terrible mood swings often and how your eating and sleeping patterns have been changing for a while now.
Anonymous
June 21st, 2018 12:36am
There are lots of ways, but here are some that might work.
You could describe how your feelings and your symptoms (i.e. I've been feeling down, I lack an appetite etc)
You can be more general and say that you are struggling right now, going through a hard time, or something similar.
If you want to avoid the face-to-face telling them, you can text, email, or write to them about it.
You can just be up front and say it too even though it is difficult.
Start by telling someone about the feelings you are experiencing.. ring a helpline or speak to your doctor in confidence about your feelings. Feeling depressed and low is not a nice experience and wont just go away the more support the better and the more you open up about your feelings to your loved ones will also help them have a better understanding of what is going on and how you are feeling. Tell your loved one you feel low. Upset. Angry. Sad. Confused. Scared. What ever feeling you are experiencing try to tell someone who can help and support you.
You could say, I am not feeling like myself lately. For some reason, I am not so interested in activities I love and it’s making me feel sad. Have you ever felt like you were in a funk that you just couldn’t shake? That’s how I feel lately.
People will understand. Life’s circumstances can push us down, but talking to someone who cares for you and wants what’s best is helpful. Asking them if they have noticed a change in you helps too. Because sometimes we don’t know we are depressed until it gets so bad that we feel stuck.
Anonymous
February 14th, 2019 11:57pm
Telling someone you are depressed without saying it? that's a difficult question... I ask myself this everyday when I want to open up to my family. When I want to let them know how alone I feel because they don't understand me. I don't know if they know I am depressed, if they do know and have never said anything to me... well I really wish they would say something. Some days I really think they do know but they choose not to say anything to me because they are scared they don't understand or they can't accept the reality that their daughter is depressed. Telling anyone you are depressed is one of the biggest challenges because you don't want to be seen differently, you simply want someone to be there for you, to understand you, to accept you, so you don't feel so alone.... I know I feel that way all the time. I want someone to see that I am hurting but not to make a big deal out of it. I want you to see that I am trying to get better, I am making an effort, but everyday is a challenge... Some days worse than others. I just want acceptance. Just see that, yes I am depressed but that doesn't mean there is something wrong with me. I am still normal... maybe not at the same level as you, but I am still normal and I am making the best effort to be the best person I can be. I am trying to be happy.
While it's probably best to tell someone your depressed so that they understand and there is no chance of miscommunications, if you wanted to tell them without "telling" them per say, you could ask them questions. Questions like "Have you ever been depressed?" or "Do you know any good ways to stop feeling depressed?" could be good ways to help them realize you are going through this. Hopefully they will catch on, but of course there is always a chance of miscommunications or misunderstandings, as with everything. I hope this helps you out! Remember to shine bright and stay positive!
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