Understanding Depression; The One-Sided Relationship

I don’t know why so many people suffer from depression today, but you probably know someone who does. Unless you’ve experienced depression yourself, it’s difficult to understand how they feel and why they act the way they do.

From the outside looking in, you want to give them a quick fix or shake it out of them, but until you know what they’re going through and how they feel, you really can’t support them.  And worse, you may be put off by what may seem like selfish or self-absorbed behavior, and not be there for them when they really need you.

I found comfort in reading an article by Shireen Dadkhah, “10 Agonizing Truths Depressed People Never Talk About.” She discusses how depressed people feel to help their families and friends better understand what they are going through. Depressed people feel helpless and they don’t like relying on drugs.

Depression zaps away all of the wonderful things that your loved one used to enjoy. Their passion for sports, music, or hanging out with you — GONE.  Because they are dealing with their anxiety and coping with life from moment to moment, they don’t see what is going on in your life.  And that may feel like rejection — to you.

The important thing to remember is that they hate that they are depressed and that they can’t be a friend back for you.  You need to know this.  Be their friend and be there for them; it’s a selfless act because you are their friend. And, thank goodness for that!

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