When interacting with someone suffering from depression, it's important to be open-minded, understanding, and always ready to offer support.

Many people with depression suffer from a state where they want to try but are unable to. Therefore, instead of scolding or criticizing them, it is best to take a supportive stance and provide them with a safe and secure space.

This article will explain in detail three things that people around someone with depression can do to help them.

Understand and support without prejudice.

When interacting with someone who has depression, avoid prejudice, maintain a natural distance, understand that they have depression, and provide the necessary support at the appropriate time.
People with depression tend to become more sensitive to negative emotions from those around them as their symptoms worsen.
Unnatural concern or excessive support can negatively impact the other person, so it's best to treat them the same way you treat everyone else, without changing your attitude because they have depression.

However, we must not forget the reality that depression can cause a variety of health problems.
Rather than having prejudices against depression, it is desirable to have a good understanding of its characteristics and be prepared to respond appropriately when someone seeks support.^{On September 2, XNUMX,}

Avoid negativity and criticism.

You should not say negative things or try to encourage someone with depression during the acute phase (when their symptoms are severe).^{On September 3, XNUMX,}

When you have depression, you may find yourself unable to do things you were previously able to do. While this may appear to others as laziness or weakness, it is believed that the imbalance of neurotransmitters plays a significant role.^{On September 4, XNUMX,}
Therefore, please refrain from making negative comments such as "You're not trying hard enough" or "Your willpower is too weak."

Furthermore, well-intentioned advice and encouragement can sometimes backfire. When interacting with someone suffering from depression, accept their feelings and thoughts without judgment, and offer support and understanding.

Provide a safe and secure place for you.

Providing a relaxing environment and a comforting place for people with depression is one of the things that those around them can do.

Many people who suffer from depression experience anxiety, self-blame, and irritability, and therefore need sufficient rest in a safe and secure environment.
An environment where there's no need to push oneself too hard provides a sense of security for people with depression. Restoring mental health is likely to help prevent the worsening of symptoms and alleviate feelings of sadness.^{On September 5, XNUMX,}

Providing a calm and reassuring environment is also a desirable way to interact with people suffering from depression.

When speaking to someone with depression, choose words that are as positive as possible. Conversely, you should never use words that criticize them.

Here are some examples of things you should and shouldn't say to someone with depression.

Words to comfort someone with depression

When speaking to someone with depression, use words that convey understanding and acceptance. The following phrases are particularly effective in reassuring someone with depression:

• You're doing great!
• That must have been tough.
• Talk when you feel like it.
• Thank you for sharing.
• It's okay to take a break.

When interacting with someone suffering from depression, it's important to show understanding for the pain and suffering they experience when they want to do something but are unable to.
Additionally, gentle words of encouragement and expressions of gratitude for sharing feelings can make it easier for people with depression to talk.
When speaking to someone with depression, use words that will make them feel safe enough to confide in you.

Words you should never say to someone with depression

Please refrain from saying things that dismiss the feelings of someone with depression, or from lecturing them.
For example, the following are prime examples of words you should never say:

• A matter of feelings
• exaggerated
• think too much
• Pull yourself together
• That idea is wrong.
• It would be better to do it this way.

As someone providing support, it can be difficult to always offer kind words in any situation, but you must never say anything that would push someone with depression further into despair.
When you feel like saying something like the above, it's a good idea to take some distance from the person with depression, regain your composure, and then interact with them again.

People with depression often have impaired judgment, so please do not pressure them to make major decisions.
It's important to treat them naturally without forcing special treatment, and to carefully observe them so as not to miss any signs that they want to die.

Here are three important points to keep in mind when interacting with someone who is suffering from depression.

Don't force a major decision.

People with depression are very mentally unstable, so you should not ask them to make major decisions.
When you have depression, your thinking and judgment abilities decline, and you may become unable to think outside the box.
Since they may make decisions they wouldn't make if they were in a mentally healthy state, when important decisions are required, offer support such as suggesting postponement or attending discussions together.
Considering the possibility of impaired judgment due to depression, it is important to be careful not to let the person make major decisions on their own.

Don't force special treatment.

Excessive worry and concern can potentially worsen someone with depression, so treat them the same way you treat everyone else, rather than giving them special treatment just because they have depression.
If a person with depression feels that they are causing worry to the other person or that they are unable to accept the care shown to them as a result of being given special treatment, their feelings of self-blame and self-denial may intensify, and their mood may worsen even further.
To avoid placing an unnecessary burden on them, be mindful of maintaining an appropriate distance and interacting with them naturally, and be careful not to give them special treatment.

Don't miss the signs that you want to die.

Given that depression can lead to suicidal thoughts, it's important to be vigilant and not overlook the signs that someone wants to die.
Not everyone with depression wants to die, but it's dangerous if symptoms and abnormalities caused by depression become noticeably more frequent.
If someone suddenly starts tidying up their belongings or preparing items that could be used for suicide, such as ropes or knives, you should suspect that it is a sign that they want to die and seek professional help immediately.
When someone says they want to die, writes a suicide note, or attempts suicide, you should never leave them alone.
When interacting with someone suffering from depression, observe them carefully to avoid missing even the smallest signs, and if you notice anything unusual, take them to a psychiatrist immediately.

If someone suffering from depression confides in you that they want to die, don't try to change their mind outright. Listen to them without interrupting until they finish speaking.
Rather than trying to persuade them to reconsider, you should encourage them to receive the necessary treatment.
Finally, I will explain how to respond when someone with depression confides in you that they want to die.

Listen attentively

If someone suffering from depression confides in you that they want to die, first and foremost, just listen to them.
It's easy to feel the urge to persuade them, but it's important to listen to what the other person has to say and acknowledge their suffering. When someone is speaking earnestly, it's a good idea to offer words that show understanding and empathy.
When someone with depression is talking, please listen to them until the end without interrupting, disagreeing, or offering your own opinion.

Don't change the subject.

Coming out as wanting to die is not something to take lightly, but you shouldn't change the subject midway through.
When someone with depression confides in you that they want to die, they are choosing who they talk to. Let's not betray that trust and continue to engage with them seriously until the very end.

I recommend you seek treatment.

If someone suffering from depression confides in you that they want to die, it is extremely important to listen to them and then encourage them to seek treatment.
Depression can be treated effectively with appropriate medications and psychotherapy, and the symptoms can be expected to be alleviated.
While immediate results may not be expected, professional support is likely to help reduce suicidal thoughts.
When someone with depression confides in you that they want to die, it's not enough to simply listen to them; you need to encourage them to seek treatment and, if necessary, accompany them to their appointments.

Approaching someone with depression naturally and without prejudice, avoiding negativity or harsh encouragement, and not pressuring them to make major decisions are desirable ways to interact with them. Providing a safe and secure space where they can feel at peace is also an important form of support.

People with depression suffer from situations where they want to do things but can't, and from uncontrollable emotional swings, so please never say anything that sounds like you're blaming them.
To help people with depression regain some mental health and experience more peaceful days, those who support them should also understand how to interact with them appropriately.

However, it's not easy to accept everything and always be there for them. When you feel like you might say something inappropriate, it's important to take a little distance and be considerate of your own emotional well-being while you're supporting them.