Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

People don't believe I'm really depressed, how can I explain it to them?

Profile: MattsListening
MattsListening on Nov 7, 2014
...read more
I've had it explained to me like this. Depression is like a boulder chained to your ankle. You can't just unhook the chain and walk away whenever you feel like it. Sometimes the boulder is a little lighter, and you can function almost normally, sometimes it's heavier and it weighs you down, but it is always there. However with help, time, and effort you can learn how to carry that boulder a little easier.
Struggling with depression?
Take the Free Wellness Quiz
Gain insight & track progress for anxiety & depression
Talk to a Licensed Therapist
Online chat & video therapy at your fingertips
Depression Support Community
Connect & share with people who get you
Help keep 7 Cups free

Takes less than a minute. Keeps 7 Cups free for someone else.

A small contribution goes straight to keeping the community running.

Profile: awesomeMoment27
awesomeMoment27 on Jan 19, 2016
...read more
I see you are concerned because people don't take your depression seriously. Am I hearing you correctly?
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 10, 2014
...read more
I've learned that you should never have to explain those types of things to people. You know you are depressed, if they don't believe you then it's their problem. They can't fathom what you are going through, because they are not in your shoes and that is okay. Not everyone can understand.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 15, 2014
...read more
Even people that seem happy, can get sad too. Don't judge a book by it's cover. Depression can effect anyone. Sometimes not all at once, but in small bursts every now and then. You always believed my fake smile. I keep it to myself, and have been suffering alone.
Profile: MountainHills
MountainHills on May 24, 2015
...read more
People who haven't felt depression will not know what it is, or how it feels. If you are explaining how you feel and they are still not believing you, they probably wont ever.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Oct 29, 2014
...read more
This might be really unhelpful, but some people just don't believe depression can happen. To those ones, you can't explain anything. Others believe people who have decent lives (enough to eat, place to sleep, education, etc.) can't get depressed. To those ones, you can try to explain depression. Some of them might understand. Others might not.
Profile: sblee
sblee on Nov 7, 2014
...read more
These people need to know that depression isn't merely an "emotion" your experiencing, but it is a medical psychological disorder (Under the DSM- official classification for these "illness), that affects you in all aspects of life, psychologically, socially and biologically.
Profile: Snoww
Snoww on Sep 11, 2014
...read more
I don't know your exact symptoms, but depression is a real disease that has shown to have genetic and environmental factors. See if your family has a history of any sort of mental illness. I know that when my mom made a family chart it seemed like 50% of the people had been diagnosed with some type of mood disorder. Also, check the diagnosis criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and depression. This shouldn't be used to diagnose yourself, but if it turns out several symptoms are present, you may want to see a psychiatrist. Also, statistics are extremely hard to argue with. About 20% of minors have had an episode of MDD, and depression affects about the same rate in the general population. Lastly, if you're in a school of some sort, counselors are fantastic references. They can get you connected with psychiatrist and can explain depression to whom ever it is that doesn't believe you. That's actually how I got the help I needed. My school counselor talked to my parents, we agreed to admit myself into an inpatient unit, and then I saw a psychiatrist who started me on an antidepressant. Today, I'm doing better. My meds have changed so that the doses are higher and I'm taking more than one. I hope this gives you an idea of how to get the help you need!
Profile: chillstep
chillstep on Oct 5, 2014
...read more
That is a difficult situation, and I am sorry you are going through it. Often times, people do not understand depression. Of course this does not mean you aren't experiencing it. What would an ideal conversation sound like between you and your friend who doesn't understand?
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Oct 29, 2014
...read more
tell them to research it or watch a video on it because anxiety can be quite traumatising so it makes you sad when people dont understand
Profile: Sara889
Sara889 on Oct 22, 2014
...read more
Depression can be a really hard concept for some people to understand. If someone hasn't experienced extreme sadness or depression before, they may have a harder time understanding those feelings. When trying to explain your feelings to someone, you need to try to explain your feelings very clearly. This may be hard, since depression is a complicated issue. You can also use medical journals and books to find way to make yourself understood more easily.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Aug 18, 2015
...read more
It's their problem that they don't believe you. You don't have to explain anything to them. If they believe you, they believe you. If they don't, they don't. Don't worry about it. And if it's something important where they really need to know if you are clinically depressed or not, try and get a doctor's note or something.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 19, 2015
...read more
Explaining to someone that you really are depressed is a really hard thing to do. You just want them to understand you and know how you feel. But honestly you don't have to prove anything to them. But if you really want them to know what is going on in your life try and talk as if it's a metaphor I know when I first told my parents I had depression and they didn't understand I said "It feels like your drowning and your being pulled down further and further and everyone can swim and stare at you." It made them quiet but they understood.
Profile: Lindsay0130
Lindsay0130 on Oct 6, 2014
...read more
Last year I was very depressed. I had a really hard problem telling people because no one would believe me, than one day I made a teary confession and people started to believe me
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 16, 2014
...read more
It doesn't matter whether or not people believe you are depressed. I think a good way to help others and yourself would be to find some great resources online where the people in your life can read up about depression and the affects it has on you and others around you. Also just basic knowledge of the illness would be good for others around you to know.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 18, 2014
...read more
You can explain it to them by being honest with everything you're feeling and going through with some examples so it'll be easier for them to have a concrete understanding of it.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 20, 2014
...read more
Let them Things anyhing you dont need anyone to belive anything its Your life so be it....---------------
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Apr 3, 2018
...read more
People don't understand that and yes when it comes to mental health, people are less accepting, don't take it out on them because they will disappoint you and to be true everyone doesn't really understand how one feels when he/she is depressed and only thing it will create is resentment for them, for not understanding what you are going through and it will make you feel worse. If you really want to talk then I think you should go to a professional or take a challenge to get yourself out of it, it's difficult and for the most part you are alone in this, so fight for yourself and bring yourself out of it or at least try and if you have any problem then there people you can talk to, we are happy to listen what you want to say.
Profile: letsbehopeful
letsbehopeful on Aug 28, 2018
...read more
Firstly, other people don't decide how you feel. If you're depressed, you're depressed. If you still want to explain it to them, maybe try to refer to a website or book that explains it better than what you feel you can do right there and then. From my experience, all people can't believe everything you tell them, because they haven't experienced it by themselves. And remember, if they can't seem to understand, or don't want to - just listen to yourself and do what's best for you. Telling people is not always the best solution. My experience is also that I just tell people that really need to know, all people don't have to know about your struggles.
Profile: AuroraBorealis
AuroraBorealis on Oct 27, 2014
...read more
First of all, you are not required to explain yourself to anyone. You don't need their validation, because if you are depressed then it is YOU, not them, that is trying to get help and answers. If you really must prove your depression, then sit them down and try to describe what is it like, and how your mind is working right now. Refer to a psychologist/therapist, and try your best to stay objective.
Share a Helpful Insight
Sharing helps others and its therapeutic for you.
0/150 Minimum Characters
0/75 Minimum Words