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How can I stop letting my depression make me feel like a burden to others?

166 Answers
Last Updated: 04/27/2022 at 7:47pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
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Jennifer Patterson, LMFT

Art Therapist

Life can be messy. Sometimes you need a little support to make your way through it. I love to help guide people through their challenges & to find the beauty in our messes.

Top Rated Answers
CanadianStereotype
June 7th, 2017 11:09pm
Remember that you're not helping anyone by suffering silently. Those close to you would much rather know that you're depressed and getting help, than feeling like you're suffering and keeping it to yourself.
empathicfemale70
June 30th, 2017 9:27am
Ask for help, if someone lends you their ear then it is not a burden they want to help you because you are loved.
BeenThereTu
July 21st, 2017 6:53am
Try to understand that, depression is part of our experiences of being human. Everyone experiences it one point or another. You shouldn't see yourself as a burden anymore than the "others" should see themselves as a burden for their unique challenges. Allow yourself to be human and process through your thoughts and feelings in your own way and your own time.
Anonymous
August 9th, 2017 7:41pm
When I feel like my depression makes me a burden to my family and friends, I take the time to remind myself that I respect the people in my life enough to make that choice for themselves. The people who support us do so willingly. I will go out on my own so my significant other has time to decompress on his own, and will completely support them going out and doing their own thing without me. At the end of the day, though, I remind myself that it is not my job to make choices for my loved ones, and make sure they are aware if my depression ever becomes too much for them that I will never resent them for asking for space.
Anonymous
October 1st, 2017 2:39am
When you start working on your depression and focusing on yourself you will find that the relationship that you have with others will change and you will recognize the positives in them and you also recognize the positives in yourself and not feel as much as a burden to others. Talking to a therapist will really help sort through the problems that you were having right now. And a therapist also provides a great way just to let everything out and there's somebody that will listen and give advice back to you.
ChickenNoodle21
October 12th, 2017 5:40pm
It actually depends on you. If you want to help yourself you certainly can. Start finding happiness in the smallest things around yourself. Start helping others. Remind yourself that you matter to people, your parents, significant other, family cares about you. and that is the way you can prevent yourself from getting in the deep clutches of depression, which will immediately help you to feel not like a burden to others.
Anonymous
October 19th, 2017 1:53pm
Open up to them about. Tell them about how you're feeling, then thank them for listening! It will help you feel heard, and they'll feel heard too!
Nyx36
October 22nd, 2017 11:45am
See a professional, learn how to work past and work with living with depression. It isn't easy to not feel like you are being a burden to people. But if you see a professional, you will soon find you feel like you are burdening your friends less.
eeveeon
November 4th, 2017 10:19pm
Practice self-care first. It isn't appropriate to think of others on top of yourself when you are dealing with serious issues such as depression. Realise that depression can be remedied by practice, talking and ongoing therapy, and over time you will be able to comfortably talk to others. It is in my opinion that others shouldn't be your friend if they feel burdened by your struggles.
Yinyer
November 6th, 2017 10:54am
How much people choose to get involved with you and your depression is up to them, not you. However, there are people who genuinely want to help you without wanting anything in return. And if you're not sure about that, maybe there are ways for you to give back to them. If you feel like a burden to someone, ask them if you can do anything for them in return, even the smallest favor. If someone directly tells you that your depression burdens them, consider getting support somewhere else. Some people simply don't know how to deal with a depressed person, but they should never blame you for having it or make you feel bad for having depression.
Ross12
November 8th, 2017 12:40am
You can prevent feeling this way by realising that others care and would rather help you and ensure you have someone to talk to than battle it alone.
Anonymous
November 10th, 2017 6:45pm
Nobody feel like that . you are special to those who luv u..u will always be their love..never a burden whatever the case is ..and for those who don't love u..u r not in need to think..giv a dam to dem..and by taking medical help depression vanishes justblike fever ..be strong and c the other positive side of life n b thankful for that
Anonymous
November 16th, 2017 1:47pm
Don't let yourself feel like a burden to others. If others are your friends and family, true friends and family would not stop them from helping you, whether you were, or were not a burden. They'll do anything for you. Just as you would want to help them and probably wouldn't consider them a burden if the tables were turned.
Marigold16
December 2nd, 2017 3:55am
You are not a burden to others. Say it out loud to yourself. You are not a burden. You are so much more. If you need to talk, people are always here.
KongfuPanda
December 7th, 2017 3:44pm
First, try to understand that depression can make one feel very bad. Don't blame yourself for feeling this one. Second, try to look at it more objectively: how much of a burden are you to others? find real examples and reassess the level of burden you are to others. Third, please trust the people who truly care about you to have the capacity of supporting you when you are in crisis. Flip the situation and ask yourself: if your best friend is depressed, how do you feel about it? how would you react?
circledFlight
December 13th, 2017 2:00am
One characteristic of depression is the feeling of low self worth. It is not unlikely to feel that we are a burden to others. Instead of trying to stop feeling this way, we can understand that it is an inherent part of depression. Work towards recovery and this feeling will lessen.
Silverliners
December 13th, 2017 4:24am
Start by realising the effort done by others, even the small acts and to avoid getting into a self pity state.
Cupcake11
December 16th, 2017 5:36am
Thinking about why you are depressed and initiating a solution and straying away from negative talks, don't let others drive you in a way they want to- because when one is depressed he/she is very likely to get involved in the solutions that people suggest but they need not be always good, sometimes this is what leads to bad addictive scenes.
Anonymous
December 16th, 2017 11:59pm
Depression can make you feel this way. However, you must acknowledge these feelings and know their importance. You should know that you are not a burden. People around you do care about you, and are willing to stand with you.
Anonymous
January 24th, 2018 7:59pm
Hello love . I get where you are coming from , we all do. I've been there . What you must remember is that you are not a burden , guessing that the 'others' you are speaking about are loved ones , they love you and want to help . You're not a burden , you're a gift they want to cherish. Let them .
5thousandmiles
January 31st, 2018 8:58pm
Your depression is telling you you're a burden, but the reality is there are plenty of people willing to listen and be here for you. Remind yourself that you are not alone even though you may feel it.
Anonymous
January 31st, 2018 11:41pm
Seek help or think positive or ask because sometimes when people over think it causes them to worry too much when there's none to worry about.
bleedingangel
February 2nd, 2018 10:23pm
By recognizing your self-worth. By realizing that your feelings are valid. By seeing that it is okay for you to feel the way you do and that there isn’t anything wrong with it.
InaudibleVoices
February 11th, 2018 11:58pm
It's a slow and steady procedure. Stay with the people closest to you and try opening up your mind to them. Your train of thought might not make sense to them at first but they'll show you that you're not a burden, but in fact a help, cause you're there for them as they're there for you
AlisterBlain
February 14th, 2018 7:44pm
Luckily I have a solution that just might work. Do something for them. Bake a cake, help them in something, anything help them in anything. Youll feel like you are doing good to them as well in return.
Anonymous
February 16th, 2018 3:51am
By making yourself free from those and this you can do by any means music,dance, talk, write anything, just give yourself chance to express.
LenaThorel
March 27th, 2018 1:44am
You could set up a system with your good friends, like a code word that you both agree on to get a conversation to stop. Like for example if they feel like you are driving them crazy then they could say like ‘banana fudge cake’ and then both of you could pick up the conversation later. (That’s not a bad idea for most things really...) You can also ask them when it’s too much and try to gauge they’re body language. Anyways, stay safe!
Anonymous
March 31st, 2018 8:41pm
Speak to a professional. They can help you find ways to better manage your depression. Don't be afraid to tell people you suffer from it. They may be able to help as well.
Anonymous
April 6th, 2018 3:33am
Seeking professional help for your depression will definitely help alleviate the symptoms you're feeling. Helping yourself will 100% help you feel less of a burden to people. You'll be so much happier that you're doing better, and everyone will benefit from your new aura.
QueerChristianTeen2004
April 12th, 2018 3:19pm
Remind yourself that your depression isn't your fault. It's a real illness. You didn't choose it. And since you're in here I bet you're trying tho get better.