“Depression & Anxiety Part 2” depicts a common frustration encountered by people who suffer from depression. Those not afflicted seem to equate the experience with typical sadness. They try to help by telling you what works for them when they are sad. This is well-meant, but incredibly naive. Depression is caused by chemicals in the brain, so there is no quick fix. We can’t just decide to be happy. Conversations like this backfire for the person trying to help. You just make us feel worse – more alienated, less understood, and more alone. It’s like telling someone with a broken arm to just not have a broken arm anymore.
So, what can you do to help a friend with depression? Support them by letting them you know you have their back. Listen to them and validate their feelings. Suggest seeing a counselor or psychiatrist to get on meds. You can try to offer a different perspective, but don’t tell people that they can fix themselves.