How to help family/partner/friends understand your depression
I am wondering if any of you could suggest/ chat about how to help people in your life understand depression better, and therefore encourage them to be there for you in down times. My family and especially boyfriend does not quite understand depression and the sadness/feelings/thoughts that I experience and often try to ignore/change the subject which makes me feel worse. If there was a way to explain to them more clearly that would help a lot
There's a really fantastic online 'game' that I suggest you ask them to play; it's called Elude and it's produced by GAMBIT from MIT University. It's basically a depression simulation game and I think it really helps non-depressed people understand what depression is like.
Another resource I really like is a blog post on Hyperbole and a Half called "Depression Part Two" (I think it's much better than Part One, although Part One is also a useful resource.) The blog post understood me perfectly when literally no one else could. I highly recommend reading it and passing it along to friends/family.
As for actually talking to your friends/family about depression...Well, I can't help you there because it's something I haven't done.
Best wishes :)
- CC
Well it's hard for people to understand depression unless they went through it themself ! be yourself and take it day by day. Sooner or later you will be able to open up. :)
Good luck
-Mina