Do's and Don't's. Fujrther down in this post is a list of things NOT to say to someone who is clinically depressed. It's from a depression website I found. Is there a list of things that are good to say? I always like to have lists of remedies, positives, TO DO's, not just "Don't do this!" Does anyone have things that help them recover from depression episodes?
My contribution to To Do list: Here are some comments/activities that would help me if I'm real depressed.
"I'm coming right over for a visit! I'll be there in 10 minutes or so."
"I'm coming over to play cards. Or I can pick you up and we can play cards at my place."
"Let's go out for coffee -- do you need a ride?"
"I'll bring over a video DVD -- do you have a movie you'd like me to pick up?"
"Let's go to the video store and find a good movie. I'll pick you up in about 10 minutes."
[weather permitting] "Get your drawing pad out - we're going to the park to draw and do some nature walking. I'll pick you up in about 10 minutes."
"Let's make some greeting cards together." [knowing we both have materials; can also find images to print out on google images.]
From a depression website: Things You Do Not Say to the Clinically Depressed:
- It’s all in your head
- Cheer up, it can’t be that bad
- You just need to try to be happy
- You would be fine if you had more faith
- Watch the Passion of the Christ, that should fix you
- Quit feeling sorry for yourself
- You just need to stay busy
- Stop letting yourself get upset
- It could be worse
- You just need to be stronger.
- You do not need all those pills
- Just get over it already
- Quit bothering x person with your problems
- If it makes you feel better, ______ has it way worse because….
- There are people starving and dying of disease in Africa, what right do you have to be depressed?
- Think about all the things you’re grateful for
- What’s wroonnnnnnngggg”? with a real contrived, whining tone
- Can’t you just be happy?
- You’re doing this for attention.
- Are you still taking your meds?
- When is your next pdoc appt?
- Oh you are depressed? Why are you depressed?
- Are you still on those happy pills?
- Go out, have some fun!
- You have no reason to be depressed. You have so much going for you
- If you get depressed at things like this, how are you going to cope when real problems come along?
- Do it! Do it! Go ahead, kill yourself!
- What do you have to be so depressed about?
- Cheer up mate.
- Maybe you should pray a little harder
- You should just end it all to put us out of our misery!
- For god’s sake, there was no such thing as depression/stress in my day….
- Come out with us, we’ll get really drunk that’ll cheer you up!
- Have you figured out why you’re depressed yet?
- Your face looks like a slapped arse. A smile costs nothing!
- Just take a week off work with some prostitutes and coke
- So I hear you’re on drugs. What’s with that?
- That’s disappointing to hear
- Come on – Snap out of it!
- I was talking to my work supervisor about your depression…
- You just have to make yourself happy! Go shopping, relax a little, eat something…that’s what I do!
- Hey, I heard you’ve been signed off work with stress! What’s going on?!
- Seeing your therapist is just like renting a friend
- Don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill!!!
- Pull yourself together!
- Come and <whatever>. You’ll enjoy it once you start!
- I’m not leaving until you have cheered up
- You look AWFUL!
- I grew up the same way you did. If I don’t need medication, then neither do you
- Don’t you think you’re being a little dramatic?
- We’re praying for your deliverance
- We all have things in our lives we’re not happy about
- Depression is a “character flaw”
- Do you have unconfessed sin in your life?
- Depression is caused by disobedience
- Aren’t you better yet?
- You are “spiritually weak”
- Stop being so mad at the people who are trying to help you
- I wish you would stop feeling like the world owes you something