Why do depressed people push loved ones away?

A lot of people are scared of hurting their loved ones by telling them the truth. Maybe they won't think of them the same way. It's sad that some people think that, but true loved ones will always love you no matter what you say. That's what makes them so special.

We don't feel like we deserve love. Sometimes we feel as if our problems are too much and/or a burden to our loved ones so we push them away, "If you love something set it free".

From personal experiences, the depressed often push others away in fear of being hurt by them. They don't want to be hurting anymore than they already are.

being depressed makes your mind think of negative things and kinda makes it paranoid, so anytime someone tries to comfort you or be there for you, your mind tricks you into thinking that they actually don't care and that it is possible that they are doing this to hurt you. it's really hard to trust someone when you have depression, they still need support and warmth, and a shoulder to rely on

They push all people away, they want to be alone. they know that people can help them but they want to be alone until someone doesnt care about that and helps the depressed person

They don't want to hurt there family. They feel that if they push them away then the family member won't be hurt.

They push people away because they don't want to hurt you. Also, they push people away so that they can be alone and concentrate on not having to seem or fake being happy.

Because they are sad,they are so deeply sad. They can't find joy in anything.And it hurts. it hurts so much inside you can't think about anything else. and you just want to talk about it. and talk and talk and talk and talk, and they are afraid they will be annoying... and they are afraid their loved ones will push them away first... Sometimes though depressed people don't wanna do anything. they don't wanna talk. They want to be consumed by their sadness. because that's how they know to be... and not everyone can understand that.

Depression goes beyond a simple mood or feeling. An individual suffering of major depression does not think objectively anymore, and is ruled by negative thoughts. I suffer of Major Depression myself and sometimes i feel like apologizing to the trees for the waste of oxygen my existence brings. Do I have a reason i think so? Not a legit one for anyone else but me. For short, I see myself beyond just valueless. I am a liability and a burden. So how dare i be such a thing to the ones who love me? Someone suffering of depression will begin to think that pushing the ones they love away, is doing them a favour because who would want to be around someone depressed? At least its the pattern we depressed people seem to adopt. It is hard to be told otherwise, but the best thing you can do is to not let them go no matter how hard we struggle. Because we need to eventually be reminded of our own value.

Personally, I feel that at times they don't want my company. I feel disconnected and alienated even if they love me or care for me so I push them away. Other times I feel like they don't love me, that it's all an act. Thus, in order to understand and connect with a person with depression, it's important to establish that you indeed care about them and be there for them and not push too hard.