According to the CDC, 9.5% of all adults in America have experienced depression at least once, meaning almost 1 in 10 people eventually experience depression, which seems abnormally high, right? The truth is, many of those with depression, keep their struggles hidden from others. They continue to act normal, putting on a facade of happiness due to a variety of factors including:
- Stigma around mental health and seeking help
- Fear of being treated differently or missing out on opportunities
- Fear of appearing weak and facing others’ judgment
- Difficulty expressing their depression and what they’re going through
If you’re in a similar situation, it’s important to remember that continuing to hide or suppress your feelings will often worsen symptoms over time. By being able to reveal the hardships you’ve faced battling depression, you are not only accepting your feelings, you are opening yourself up to the path of recovery as well. But it’s important to consider who you choose to confide in and how you decide to share your depression.
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Who Should You Tell?
With many different people in your life, where should you begin? Here are some important things to consider:
- Above all else, talk to a therapist or other mental health expert if you can, as they are the most qualified to help you handle emotional crises
- Talk to a close friend or person in your life that has had their own mental struggles. They will more than likely empathize with you, and offer advice
- Know that depression is a heavy topic, and that not everyone may be receptive or well equipped to handle it. BUT, this does not mean that you are not cared for
While talking through your struggles with someone will be a new and challenging experience, it is one of the first steps in overcoming your depression. That’s why it’s so important to be able to choose the right person for such a personal topic. No matter who you choose, you should trust this person and feel comfortable enough to share your experiences in a non judgemental setting.
How Should You Go About Expressing Your Emotions?
It’s important to keep your specific audience in mind, but here are some general tips:
- Avoid unloading all of your issues and emotionally deflating yourself immediately. Instead, talk about issues one step at a time. This makes your audience more receptive and avoids them becoming overwhelmed as well.
- Don’t feel like you’re obligated to talk about it. Ultimately it’s your decision to be vulnerable about your experiences, so share at a pace that’s comfortable for you
- Getting your foot in the door, and simply admitting you are not okay is the most important step
Taking Steps Toward Healing
Depression impacts us all in different ways, indirectly or directly, whether we want it to or not. What matters is how we deal with it, and how we move forward. If you want to help yourself, let others help you too, and do not stay silent about your depression. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a depression therapist, and don’t let your depression ruin the lives of yourself and your loved ones.
