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How to tell someone you're depressed without saying it?

254 Answers
Last Updated: 03/27/2023 at 7:28pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Lisa Groesz, PhD

Psychologist

With evidenced based therapies, we find the root of the problem together to implement solutions. We all face crises, transitions, or disorders at some time.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
December 7th, 2017 11:24pm
Recently, I’ve just been in a cloud. I have a history of depression and anxiety but it has never gotten to this point before. I recently had a breakdown at work, one of my closest friends thinks I’m acting wierd and she got upset and mad at me. I feel so distant and out of touch with reality. I can’t tell my friend or I feel like I’ll sound dramatic or needy. I don’t want to talk to anyone because then some people worry and some people will think I’m needy or weak or something. Idk wht to do or who to turn to. So that’s why I’m here.
Anonymous
December 8th, 2017 2:31pm
Say ur feeling down and need help or write a note or online anoyumus chat like this one or and online therapist
TogetherForeverAlways
December 22nd, 2017 5:19pm
Emphasize the types of thoughts/feelings/emotions you're experience. You can maybe say something like "You know, I'm been feeling (a bit) down for some time/lately. I have this feeling of sadness (and emptiness) in me that I cannot explain. What do you think this is?"
endearingOcean32
December 23rd, 2017 3:26am
That a lot has happened in my life and i feel like I just wanna be alone and cry and that I don't wanna do it
Anonymous
January 4th, 2018 8:03pm
In my experience, people usually don't understand that you're depressed unless you come out and say it. Sometimes, if someone has depression, you can mention that you have symptoms of depression and they might realise that you're saying that you are depressed.
Anonymous
January 10th, 2018 9:04am
Some people can tell without being told. But if it's someone who isn't aware of it at all, you might want to drop a hint or two. Maybe even a visit to the psychotherapist.
Anonymous
January 14th, 2018 2:13am
It's difficult to tell people your emotions. I know that sometimes because things were hard for me to say, I would write down how I'm feeling in a letter format and give it to my friends and family to help me get support. Or, if you don't want to do that, I would make it a point to share how you're feeling more to family/friends to get the support and help you need!
Kalopsia17
January 28th, 2018 5:54pm
Most of the time, we need to understand, the other person cannot mind read. The best way to let someone who cares about you is to spit it out, no matter the level of complexity it carries. However if you still feel the need to be indirect, try giving easy clues. Definitely people who care about you will grasp whatever you’re trying to communicate.
Anonymous
February 8th, 2018 2:12pm
You tell them through how your feeling, and basically list of all of the symptoms, through conversation wise. Through that, they should be able to grasp that you are dealing with depression, or at least know that you're going through a rough time.
BerrySunset
February 17th, 2018 12:08am
I think they would know just by how you act. But you could try writing it down, or write a poem called "my depression" or something like that. You could draw a picture of how you interpret depression and then asking someone to tell you what they think the picture is of.
Pumpkin74
February 28th, 2018 8:29am
You can describe your symptoms such as saying "Its hard for me to be happy sometimes." or "I always feel so tired and like it is hard to get out." Labeling depression doesn't matter as long as your feelings and symptoms are cared for.
magneticDog23
March 8th, 2018 5:44am
by showing it. by withdrawal and be passive, or with tell them what I feel now and why I feel it if I feel comfort enough to the person
Anonymous
March 8th, 2018 11:00am
Talk in a melancholy mood or imply using sad words etc that show the person is sad or depressed about something
Engineeringhappiness
March 8th, 2018 12:39pm
tell them that you feel empty, and lonely and tell them how you are feeling. they will understand you
charmingBeauty55
March 8th, 2018 3:35pm
Okay maybe you don’t tell them straight away, I usually don’t, though I feel like they need to know about me in case I ever get in a bad way. Just so they are prepared for it - if I suddenly locked myself in my room all day, not eating or drinking, people would probably find me pretty weird if they didn’t know I had a mental illness.
snakeskins
March 8th, 2018 8:16pm
Depending on how close you are to the person, they could have already noticed how you feel. Otherwise you can say things like: "I've been feeling really down lately" or "I have a hard time enjoying things anymore". Depression is different for everyone, so depending on how you feel you can describe it in different ways.
Anonymous
March 31st, 2018 8:05am
Show them through actions or behaviour. Dont say the word depressed but talk about it. Or give out examples.
Anonymous
April 12th, 2018 2:37am
Quiet not eating not sleeping not interacting. Showing little to no emotion. Things you were involved in don't seem to matter. Laying in bed or sofa with no intentions of getting up.
amiablePeace77
April 20th, 2018 9:01pm
write your feelings down and if you feel you can trust them, show it to them. If you just do not want to use the word depressed explain to them how you feel.
Anonymous
April 22nd, 2018 9:00pm
In my opinion, I'd say that you haven't been feeling you for a while, and you can't figure out what's getting you down. I'd say that you feel like you need to talk to someone about your feelings so you can start to feel like yourself again.
Anonymous
May 30th, 2018 1:05am
just say "i've been/i am upset"... they'll most likely ask why, but you have no obligation to reply. if they ask, just say "i do not want to talk about it" and, hopefully, they will understand
Kricket20
May 30th, 2018 8:57pm
Sometimes it can be a lot easier to say "I feel down a lot" than saying "I'm depressed." Especially if you are worried about how the other person will react, saying "I feel down" might be easier for you.
Anonymous
June 1st, 2018 6:49am
Talking about these sorts of things can be kind of scary. Maybe you could ask someone if you could sit and talk with them for a minute, so you have a particular time and don't have to worry about finding the 'right' time. You could tell them that you've been feeling down, or maybe not like yourself. You could also just say that you've been having a hard time lately. Most people will understand what you mean, and will be there for you. Good luck, and everything will be okay
musicalEnergy94
June 8th, 2018 2:58am
i think it is so hard to tell someone your're depressed because they might want to help and they could give wrong advise because they have never had depression so i would tell that person that i am not feeling right today. something is a little off in my brain, i am tired is what i would say
Anonymous
June 15th, 2018 2:57pm
Just tell them the truth ask them for help. You need to be strong and tell them, it can save you a lot of trouble!!!
blindIcicle1966
June 22nd, 2018 2:41pm
Have you tried expressing what you need from others? How long have you been depressed? Do you have anyone you feel comfortable enough sharing your feelings and needs with?
politePillow12
June 23rd, 2018 12:01pm
Well, you can tell others that there are problems in your life or you can also say that there are some things that intesify your unhappiness. Overall you need to tell others your problem in order to get help.
GAddams
July 8th, 2018 1:27am
I understand the desire to keep your personal problems to yourself, but I think clear communication is key. If the person needs to know, then you should try to be clear with them. If you don't feel like you can tell them plainly what you are going through, then perhaps they aren't someone who needs to know.
porsxh22
July 12th, 2018 12:19pm
Maybe the best way to tell them is the truth but if that’s not an option just try explaining what depression is and that you feel sad or just say google depression
FruityPanda470
July 13th, 2018 7:13am
Express to a person you trust what emotions you have been feeling lately such as stress or anxiety or the feeling of being overwhelmed. Explain to them what you are going through and how it makes you feel. They should then begin to understand what you’re going through.