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How do you handle it when the people closest to you don't want to understand or acknowledge your depression?

15 Answers
Last Updated: 05/24/2021 at 10:29pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Evelyn Coker, MSW, LCSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

I am down to earth and enjoy working with all clients. I have a special passion to support teen girls and women. My work is nonjudgmental and provides a safe space to grow.

Top Rated Answers
Ed78
November 16th, 2015 4:13pm
It can be very difficult for other people to come to terms with your depression. It's much easier for them to just pretend that everything is ok. That's not necessarily because they don't care about you... it's probably because they don't actually know how to respond. Think about what happens if someone faints, has a seizure, or collapses. A lot of people just stand back and look, but not because they don't want to help, but because they don't know how to, or are afraid of messing up. The same happens with depression. Try to understand that they don't know how to react ... rather than that they don't want to.
Anonymous
January 23rd, 2015 3:16pm
Seek other people that might understand your situation, they may actually help you and listen carefully to what your going through.
Anonymous
April 30th, 2015 8:57am
Take care of yourself. It may be hard, but find a way for you to push through it. Not having the support of the people closest to you is extremely difficult, but there are ways to manage. Find coping mechanisms that work, join therapy if possible, find clubs that interest you, just get away.
Spiderman93
May 8th, 2015 1:58am
try not to let others thoughts and opinions bother you. being depressed is an illness and not everyone can accept that. you will make it through this. much love to you
PoliteOcean
September 7th, 2015 3:28am
THis can be difficult to deal with for all involved. Its difficult for somebody who is not going through it to understand. The first thing you can do is to try to talk with those around you and who are closest to you. Also, seeking help from a trusted person to help you if you feel that you can't. You can always seek advice from a counselor or therapist to help too and incorporate your family in the sessions.
MountainMan22
November 23rd, 2015 5:09am
Though i would feel sad, but then i would try my best to overcome it myself and my decisions would solely depend on me and i would not have anyone to blame in future
GivingPurpose
December 15th, 2015 6:39pm
It can be hard for people to understand your depression. It doesn't mean they don't care about you. IT might just be hard for them to understand how you are feeling, Not being to able to stand what you are going thru makes it hard for them to be able to respond.
Anonymous
July 26th, 2016 3:45am
You can respect their wishes and become emotionally detached from these individuals. Find a close network of confidants.
Aube777
August 30th, 2016 3:06pm
It's hard to handle this situation because peer support is an important part of recovery. I would suggest you to talk to other people and find supportive ones: it could be online friends, your psychologist, a friend's friend, etc.
HappyWhale
August 14th, 2017 7:48am
I go and reach out to other people. It took me a long time to get through this, but over the years I have learnt that if people are going to discount my depression or not want to learn, that I can find other people out there that will be happy to listen to me!
quietLion4
January 30th, 2018 9:21pm
Sometimes the people closest can be difficult to tell or find it difficult to comprehend what you're going through. What is important is that, if you feel this is holding you back from gaining proper support, try and reach out to others - such as school staff members or youth groups.
PosiPotato
February 12th, 2018 3:31pm
I'm so sorry that you feel the people closest to you don't want to understand or acknowledge your depression. I have felt and described that exactly feeling myself before. Not everyone is going to be able to see or understand what you're going through, and that is ok! You're ok too. Sometimes you just need to find the right person to share yourself with. You're experiencing depression, and that is very real, you are not alone.
Anonymous
December 9th, 2019 7:11pm
It’s frustrating most of the time. I try to let it slide or help them understand that I will get better in time. I don’t try to let people judge me on it. Depression is a complicated mental illness. A lot can cause it. If we are seeking professional help or just encouragement then we can learn to get better. Depression is not going to be temporary, we only feel that way when we are caught in the loop. Sometimes my family is my cause of depression but I try to smile so I keep them from constantly concerning about my wellness.
Anonymous
May 16th, 2020 4:56am
I try to convince them in every possible way, if still it’s getting hard or possible! I stop trying I just STOP! Because life is too short ti complain and see flaws and break relations but we have to stay calm fight through problems and try to maintain relationship with close ones aswell! Maybe it’s hard for them to understand but it’s not impossible, things change if one truly wants to complains makes things worse!!! Try to be less complaining and more listening and forgiving to the world!!! Trust me ppl needs it! Help others to talk and if you’re not been listened talk to yourself try to divert your attention calm your mind! Stay positive , don’t stick on to negativity because one day things will not be same depressing as before and then you will regret losing your loved ones so be sharing but don’t impose and expect others.
ACupOfTea4You
May 24th, 2021 10:29pm
If they do not want to take the time to understand your illness that effects you every day, they aren't as close to you as you think. Maybe providing articles and sources so they know what to do and what they need to hear to understand is always something. People are scared of what they can't understand, but that doesn't excuse leaving you in the dark or not acknowledging it. So, maybe seek other friends, or new people that will acknowledge and want to understand you. Establish boundaries with these people you believe are close to you.