Talking to the Non-Depressed
If you’ve had depression for more than ten minutes, you’ve probably noticed that you have to do a lot of lying in order to talk to other people. Lie whenever they ask you how you are doing or feeling. Just say, “Fine”. There is a method to this madness. If all you do is complain, you’ll soon find yourself with fewer and fewer friends to complain to.
Social Support
It’s recommended to interact with others when you’re depressed. But how can you talk to others when all you really want to do is whine and rant? Even the most loyal of friends will suddenly remember a root canal appointment. So, depending on the friendship, try to keep a time limit on your complaining. Then, ask your friend how they are doing and listen to them for at least the same amount of time they’ve listened to you.
If they say, “But how are you really feeling? You can let it all out. It’s okay,” then winge away. They’ve given you permission. But it is still polite to let them talk about themselves for some parts of the conversation.
Comparing Yourself to Others
Another reason that it’s good to listen to other people’s problems is that, in comparison, your usually aren’t too bad. You listen to your friends and family and think, “Thank God I’m not this person.” That might seem a little crass, but when you have depression, you need all the help you can get. You may find yourself feeling a lot better, even if only for a few minutes.
Talking to Your Doctor
These tips are only for talking with friends, family and aquaintances. When talking to your doctor or therapist, be as brutally honest as you please. They’re getting paid to hear you complain. Get your money’s worth.
Hope this helps.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
[...] if you’re dealing with someone who doesn’t know what you are going through (the non-depressed), you can print this post out and shove it under his or her [...]