How to Explain Depression to Someone

Why is Depression Hard to Explain & Understand?

Explaining depression is complicated because many people think being depressed just means feeling blue or sad. The reality is that depression, whether mild or severe depression, is a pervasive condition that can affect everyone differently and can impact every aspect of your life. From your thoughts to your emotions to your physical well-being, the invisible symptoms of depression can make it hard for others to grasp the complexity of what you’re experiencing. There are also societal misconceptions and stigma surrounding mental health that complicate people’s perception of what it feels like to live with clinical depression.

Ways to Explain Depression to Someone

Explaining depression might seem challenging, but there are straightforward and effective strategies to help. Using clear, concise language, and sharing personal examples are good ways to start — but there are other ways you can give a loved one an accurate and comprehensive explanation of your symptoms, whether you have mild depression or severe depression.

Start with basic information

Use a very basic and straightforward explanation about what depression is. This can be especially helpful if you’re talking to someone who doesn’t have any experience in dealing with this complex mental health condition. Remember to emphasize that there are different types of depression and that it’s a mental health condition that impacts mood, thoughts, and behavior, which can affect relationships and your sense of self-worth.

Use analogies and metaphors

Analogies and metaphors can help explain what depression feels like, making the concept of depression more relatable. For somebody who’s never been depressed themselves or who hasn’t been around depression, it can be an abstract condition that’s difficult to fully understand. Comparing depression to something they can relate to might help. For example — you might share that when you’re in a depressive episode, it’s like being stuck in a dark tunnel with no end in sight.

Describe the symptoms

Try to describe specific symptoms that you experience. Make sure they understand that depression is a medical condition that doesn’t affect everybody the same way, so your symptoms might not be the same as someone else they know. You can let them know that symptoms of depression can include:

• Persistent sadness
• Lack of interest in things you once enjoyed, or lack of interest in anything 
• Physical symptoms, like fatigue and sleep disturbances
• Lack of appetite
• Uncontrollable crying
• Lack of energy
• Inability to perform basic self-care acts, like showering or eating regularly
• Insomnia
• Sleeping more than usual but still feeling tired
• Thoughts of suicide

Emphasize the differences between sadness

Some people believe that depression is something you can just snap out of. They think it’s just a sense of sadness or an emotion you feel when going through a tough time. Share with them that clinical depression is a distinct and enduring mental health condition. It’s different from the “normal” sadness everyone goes through at some point. Do your best to clarify the differences between depression and sadness.

Share your personal experience

Sharing your personal experience and detailing how depression impacts your daily activities, work, and relationships can provide valuable insights. Here are some ways you can explain its impact:

• Daily activities: Explain how simple tasks, like getting out of bed or preparing meals, become significantly harder. Describe days when even small decisions feel overwhelming.
• Work performance: Discuss how depression at work, particularly symptoms like concentration issues and fatigue, affects your productivity and ability to meet deadlines. Share any changes in your work quality and interactions with colleagues.
• Social interactions: Detail how your mood affects relationships. You might explain withdrawing from social activities you used to enjoy or feeling irritable and disconnected during gatherings.

By explaining these effects, you enable others to see your perspective more clearly, which can foster understanding and empathy. This increased awareness might just be the key to helping them truly grasp what you’re going through.

Write down how you are feeling

Writing down your feelings can be a great way to articulate your experience clearly. This practice not only aids in organizing your thoughts but also helps in conveying your emotions more effectively. By documenting your journey, you can avoid the pitfalls of becoming overly emotional or reacting with frustration and anger when others fail to understand your struggles. Moreover, journaling can serve as a therapeutic tool, providing a safe space to explore and process complex feelings at your own pace.

Clarify what you need

Effectively communicating your needs is crucial when seeking support for depression. Begin by expressing what types of support are beneficial and which might be counterproductive. If certain actions or behaviors from others are not helping—or perhaps even exacerbating your feelings—it’s important to address these issues calmly and clearly. 

Encourage your support network by suggesting specific, actionable ways they can assist you. For instance, you might find it helpful if they could listen more attentively, accompany you to appointments, or simply spend quiet time with you. Being open about your preferences not only sets clear expectations but also makes it easier for others to provide the kind of support that genuinely aids in your recovery.

Encourage questions

It’s essential to create an atmosphere of open dialogue to foster a productive conversation about depression. As you share your experiences, consider the following:

• Encouraging curiosity: By welcoming questions, you not only deepen understanding but also clarify and dispel misconceptions about the condition.
• Being an active listener: Pay close attention to the concerns and curiosities expressed by the person you are speaking with, showing empathy and engagement.
• Share openly with boundaries: Respond to their questions with openness and honesty, sharing insights from your personal journey with depression. Remember, it’s perfectly acceptable to express discomfort and set limits around sensitive topics you’re not ready to discuss. 

This approach ensures a respectful and informative dialogue, making it a positive experience for both parties.

Address misconceptions

Despite how common it is today, many people unfortunately still have misconceptions about mental health and depression. If, during your conversation, they say something that’s incorrect or doesn’t validate your experience, don’t be afraid to address their view. For example, if they allude to the fact that you should just “snap out of it,” or they minimize your feelings by saying something like “everyone feels sad sometimes,” it’s OK to correct them.

Discuss treatment and recovery

When explaining depression, part of your discussion should revolve around treatment. Sharing the different types of treatments available or what specific modalities you’re using — like therapy, depression medication, or a combined approach — is vital to helping someone fully understand what you’re going through. 

Remember to emphasize that recovery is a long process that varies from person to person. What works great for you may not work at all for someone else. This is an important distinction that should be made early on.

Share educational resources

Educating others about depression is a noble and brave endeavor. While you can’t predict or control how they will react, providing comprehensive information and educational resources can significantly enhance their understanding of the condition. 

Utilize reputable sources such as mental health organizations, online courses, and books written by experts to provide well-rounded knowledge. For example, directing them to the National Institute of Mental Health or sharing powerful movies about depression can make the information more relatable and easier to grasp. By doing so, you empower them with the tools necessary to support themselves or others struggling with depression, fostering a more empathetic and informed community.

Getting the Support You Need

If you’re living with depression, getting support from a mental health professional can be a crucial part of your treatment plan. Engaging in therapy for depression can help you find a path to recovery and learn effective ways to manage your symptoms.

If you’re looking for guidance or professional help as you navigate depressive symptoms, Talkspace is an online therapy platform with licensed therapists and mental health professionals who can support you in your journey. Whether you need help with symptom management, are considering starting medication, or want to learn how to explain depression to someone, Talkspace is there for you. 

Reach out to Talkspace today to connect with a mental health professional and start online treatment for depression.