Why is talking about having depression almost like talking about a taboo subject?

Honestly, and this is just me personally, I think that everyone deals with depression at some point or another but the emotional vulnerability is such that it is embarrassing in our current society. We are taught from a very young age that emotions are wrong. "Suck it up" "Man up!" "Be a lady" "Quit crying, you have nothing to cry about." "Are you upset AGAIN??" So we are conditioned that emotions that make us sad are wrong. Depression then, must be, by this gauge, just the most horrible of things and we should never talk about it or admit it. But those that have owned depression, openly talk about it, and can empathize with ourselves, we are tools for others as well as we can talk to them without fear. Self acceptance and acceptance of others will lead you.

Many people feel too uncomfortable to hear about depression...it makes them feel awkward, embarrassed and they may struggle with whether to believe the sufferer's words or decide that they are making a mountain out of a molehill. Depression is deep and personal to the individual. It might be impossible for one person to find the vocabulary to describe what is in their head or to present a verbal image that can convey the depth and breadth of their hopelessness. It is a taboo subject because it is not for casual conversation...it is not for passing the time with someone. People may dismiss the topic because they truly have no understanding of what it means or because they are frightened of the enormity of what it can mean. Many might believe that taking tablets is a 'cure' and that should be an end to it. It can be scary to enter a conversation on depression if the listener feels ill-equipped to face the subject or doesn't want to feel 'trapped' in a conversation he/she doesn't have time for. Some may believe it is a subject only for the professionals. Others will get frustrated if the sufferer cannot or will not act upon advice that is given. It is a subject that many feel is best avoided in the hope it will go away not understanding that it never just 'goes away' from the sufferer.

My guess is that this is mainly because of a lack of education and ignorance surrounding this topic. It is difficult to say where it comes from, it is difficult to deal with, and despite well intentions, people who are trying to help are just as clueless as those who directly suffer from it. I feel depression is often confused with negative attitude, being lazy and other things that are considered as 'bad' in a fast paced society in which success, health and happiness are depicted everywhere, without having sufficient attention for hardships, growth, difficulties and the sad and downright horrible moments of life. I think depression is not necessarily about negative emotions, as much as it is about a lack of emotions althogether. Most people are scared to deal with such a frightening void afraid they might get consumed by it. I hope the community here will be able to talk about depression in an open and understanding way.

because depression can be misunderstood as a feeling and not a legitimate illness. we are often told to "get over it" , or told we arent making any effort to change .

May be it's because talking about depression show our weak self to others and exposing our own mind to someone else. It's very difficult for people to do this. Also, very few people can bear to listen problems of others and give a empathetic response. Theses reasons along with other few might have contributed to this subject becoming a taboo in society. Although in modern times , the scenario is changing and more and more awareness is getting spread. For examples out home 7cups.com :).

Because it's stigmatized and not taked about enough. A lot of people don't know the truth about it, some don't know anything at all.

Depression is something that is difficult to understand for people who do not suffer from it. Because they do not experience the fight with their own brain it is hard to explain what it feels like to not be in control of your own emotions. Because it is an "invisible illness" it makes people uneasy to talk about it, mostly because society has built depression up into something much larger than it really is. Try to stop thinking of depression as something taboo for yourself, if you have it, you have it and it is a part of your life. There is nothing to be ashamed of. The more you learn about the illness the easier it will be for you to manage and even explain to others so they have more of an insight on the illness.

Nowadays people are not ready to talk about mental illness properly because they know nothing about mental illnesses. Having no knowledge leads to stereotypical thinking, so thus we have: people think that depression is like sadness and it`s weakness, but it`s not. Spread knowledge, so you yourself will be heard correctly.

People do not understand it is a real problem to deal with. telling a person with depression to get over it or to get happy is like telling a person in a wheelchair to just get up and walk.

Because people think depression is just attention seeking! On the other hand, some people truly know what it is, but don't have the wish to go into it. You can be that one funny guy, make jokes and everything for years, but the second you say "Hey, you know, I actually feel like shit" people go away. It's not their problem. If more people listened and helped, the world would be a better place.

People are not normally used to talking about topics of the sort. They sometimes don't know what to say or how to respond.

Speaking of depression is like a taboo subject in that from the outside looking in, it seems there is no reason for which to feel so down and no one seems to understand how difficult it is to take in even the easiest daily tasks. If mentioned, there is a fear someone will ask, ¨So, why are you sad again?¨ or ¨Why can't you just get over it?¨

People act like depression and other mental illnesses don't exist. they want to ignore them till they go away because people get "uncomfortable" with talking about it, even though in reality, we ourselves or someone we know is struggling with mental illness.

Because its a very personal issue and not everyone can understand. But dont be afraid to talk to your close freinds and family. People you trust. They will stand by you. Just be open and dont ever feel ashamed. Sadly things happen in life that we have no control over. Were human and our minds do not always see the same as everyone else. We can see life so differant and its hard to adjust...no matter what anyone says its no help. You can go the doctors for anti depressants. They do help. They level out your endorphines at the back of your brain to control your emotions rather than being up and down...just go and have a chat...they will help. Good luck

From my experience it has everything to do with people not wanting to come to terms with their own ideas of being sad. Some see depression as just being in a phase of sorrow and that one can simply rise the next morning unscathed and ready for the day's obstacles. I've seen many others seemingly unsure on how to approach someone with depression for fear of not being able to help. Depression is a tricky thing to understand let alone solve.

From my personal experience, people that have never suffered with or experienced depression don't fully understand what depression actually is. People are uncomfortable with the unknown, and since it is misunderstood by so many people, often time people think that those experiencing depression are weak and aren't trying hard enough to get out of the funk.

In many places around the world, the idea of having a mental illness is attached to a stigma. This stigma makes people believe that depression and other mental health problems a sign of weakness or vulnerability. However, these things are completely false: depression is a disease much like any other ailment, and we should treat it as such. Don't be afraid to speak out about your own experiences and help others through it, we can all break the stigma.

A lot of people don't "believe" that depression exists or some people judge people with depression. I've heard some one say that people with depression just are people with a self-pity problem. That's why you might feel it's taboo, because some people don't understand it.

I think depression can happen to anyone at anytime, and that it feels very personal, and it`s hard to talk about because of the fear of appering weak

People who have not experience depression, or needed to reach out don't feel it is appropriate and don't understand it. And there is a large number of people who don't understand depression calling people lazy and not motivated. With that comes being scared to discuss depression openly and creates havoc on your mental state. Talk about it with someone outside your circle first. Then try talking to those closest to you first. Learn about depression, understand the definition and who else is going through it as well. Then teach those around you what it is.

Unfortunately, many people do not understand depression and what it feels like. You should always know that depression is an illness and it affects you in a REAL way, therefore, never feel as if you can't express that just because someone may not relate.

There is so many different ways depression can be triggered. Depression is different for everyone and people all handle it in a variety of ways.

Depression is a quite sensitive subject to talk about. People with depression may be more sensitive, no matter its good or bad.

Because most of people don't have that personal experience, that others have. When you say you have depression to someone who doesn't have or haven't had, he/she might get quite scared. But when you or someone else who knows about it, explains what it's like to have depression or other mental illness, it gets easier to talk about it.

People are often afraid. They are afraid to speak about things they deal with, things that are too close to home, sometimes it's things that society tells us are wrong, and sometimes it's being unsure how to provide support. It doesn't matter the reason, so many people are afraid to approach depression and other mental health topics because they are afraid it would force them to realize that life isn't perfect and that people can be suffering and it not be visible.

I think it's a subject that less people really understand or feel comfortable discussing so they often avoid it. But I also think it's a subject that should be discussed more and the only way other people (including myself) understand what you are going through is if you talk about it.