Depression disorder shaming isn't helpful. Here's why:
Depression is stubborn and not easily talked into giving up its heavy doses of dark thoughts, sadness, isolation, and fatigue.
If you are fighting to feel better, you know that "getting happy" is truly a fight. Indeed, you lose often when you attempt to fight on your own. In fact, it's almost impossible to win when the people you need in your corner just don’t understand the difference between tough-love and depression disorder shaming.
If you are not a sufferer but care about someone who is depressed, you can help them best by carefully avoiding depression disorder shaming.
Directives like “Get happy,” are not a “thing”, as they say. Telling someone sick to just get better doesn’t help. Instead, provide real direction or, communicate how much you care.
In truth, to a depression sufferer, it can feel like a criticism on their self-control. In addition, it often frustrates and misses the obvious. They can't “get happy” on their own. Not because they are weak or unwilling. In truth, depression disorder changes the brain. As well as, it blocks happy places and pushes joy out of reach. Inside, they hear whispers that they aren’t good enough, strong enough, or important enough to be happy.
Depression disorder shaming simply hints that something must be wrong with the sufferer.
You don’t want to add to a chorus of shamers that imply they are having a willpower problem. And, no doubt, you don’t really mean to.
Loving a depressed person means acknowledging depression as a stubborn, troublesome, and sometimes messy health condition of the mind.
Therefore, depression is a reason for compassionate treatment. Not a situation the depressed person is indulging in. Nevertheless, depression disorder shaming disconnects you from each other and adds to the isolation that is one of depression’s best allies.
Most of all, try to gain a clear understanding of what blocks happiness for the sufferer and the relationships they count on.
Below, you’ll find 3 key obstacles to positivity and peace for someone with depression:
Why Getting Happy is Not Easy for Depression Sufferers
Depression Is Chronic
Depression sets up shop. It stays for weeks, months, years for some. It moves into your body, mind, and relationships. Thus, getting happy isn’t something a sufferer can do for someone else. Or quickly.
Unfortunately, all that person can do, maybe, is put on a happy face for a little while. But that usually isn't healthy. Why? Because the long-lasting, persistent nature of the depression disorder can push a hurting person to further isolate or self-harm if they suffer too intensely.
You can help greatly by realizing that a constant problem deserves time to share honestly, ongoing attention, and compassionate, qualified care.
Somatic Symptoms Are Real and Really Get in The Way
Science tells us that key lifestyle choices soothe depression and amplify periods of happiness. However, the tension, fatigue, and a host of uncomfortable sensations or depression-related ailments can get in the way of deciding to do things that make us feel better.
For instance, who feels up to a go on the treadmill when they literally feel unable to lift their head off the pillow? How likely is a low-energy depressed person with no appetite to revamp their entire diet and go organic? Likely, it all seems too much to do when life already feels overwhelming.
Depression Does Not Tell the Truth
That is, negativity about personal worth, the value of their contributions, and the way the perceive others view them, frequently attack the wellbeing of a depressed person. Shaming reinforces such negative thought patterns.
Therefore, informed interaction, treatment advocacy, and solid, unconditional support are more effective antidotes to the low moods, disturbing bodily discomfort, and unhelpful thinking that prevent happiness.
Healing from Depression Is Often a Complex and a Cooperative Journey
You love your friend or loved one. You want them to beat depression and truly be happy. Getting there, though, won't be a function of depression disorder shaming.
How deeply you care can be better demonstrated by your non-judgmental presence and patience. You can help by suggesting treatment and steering them toward the care of a therapist. Lastly, professional help is paramount and cooperation with that care on your part is invaluable.
If you would like support and are looking for a psychotherapist, please contact us for a free consultation to learn about how we can be of service.
If you have a loved one dealing with depression or you’ve noticed these symptoms in yourself, consider therapy. Find out more about our Depression Treatment. Serving Boulder, Longmont, Denver.
For your other needs, you can count on April Lyons Psychotherapy Group, to help you heal and grow through EMDR therapy, somatic therapy, trauma therapy, and PTSD treatment – because we believe in your strength and potential for recovery.
