If you are the friend of an individual with depression, and you have just been told that your friend is, in fact, depressed, you will likely deal with a number of thoughts, and you may not know how to immediately respond. Thus, it may be helpful to know some responses that friends of depressed individuals have had upon learning such news.
For some friends, learning of depression is a painful experience. You, as a friend, may feel hurt for your friend and want to fix everything to "make them better." You may also feel concerned for their safety. Feeling overwhelmed is another common initial response, particularly if you have never dealt with a depressed individual before. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, lost, or unsure of what to do or how to react. It is often common to not understand or be fully able to process what you are being told if you have never been through such feelings or experienced depression. You may also want to withdraw, as your friend may not be the "same" person you thought you once knew, upon this revelation. However, you may also find yourself feeling more parental and protective toward the friend in an effort to stop their pain. You may also feel a tendency or desire to micromanage to keep them safe. Every situation, and every individual's experience with depression is different, though there are some things one generally should and should not do. |
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