Tips for Telling Others About Your Depression

Depression is often times misunderstood. This can often cause apprehension surrounding sharing  your feelings of depression with others, compounding with the symptoms of depression that a person is already feeling. When preparing to tell someone about your mental illness it’s important to maintain appropriate expectations. The people you tell will likely be concerned and want to help you but at the same time lack the knowledge to understand what it means. Telling those how they can support you can be helpful.

Understanding the Scope of Depression shared some tips on how to tell your loved ones about your depression.

For family and friends:

• Ask your doctor or therapist for advice about how to explain depression.
• Use educational materials such as books, brochures or Web pages that have been recommended by your doctor therapist.
• Be sure to explain that depression is common and treatable.
• Reassure your family that you want to get better.

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Sharing and discussing mental illness can be difficult but with these tips hopefully it will ease some of the tension behind it. You can for find more tips about disclosing to family, friends, and in the work place within Understanding the Scope of Depression.

Do you have any other tips you’d like to add?