Members,
It is often difficult to share the difficulties you are currently experiencing with friends and family. Many often debate as to whether or not informing family and close friends would be beneficial.
Remember, what you tell your friends and family is up to you. What you can say probably depends on what your friends and family are like.
Some people may try to understand your problems and respond to you with support. Others may not understand and have trouble supporting your efforts to get better. Seek support from those who are most likely to give it.
If you decide to tell a good friend or a supportive family member about your depression, just tell them the facts. Tell them that you believe that you're struggling with depression and that you're trying to do something about it. If you've been trying to hide your depression from someone, sharing this information may help them understand your behavior.
If you tell them that you have a problem and that you're working on it, good friends and supportive family members usually want to know how they can help.
Tell your good friends and family that just knowing that they're trying to understand your depression and support you is important to you.
You can tell your supporters that they can help by learning more about depression. The more they understand it, the better they can help. If you're having trouble explaining how you're feeling, you may decide to point them in the direction of this Web site.
Below are a number of general suggestions for what you might say to friends and family members who want to help you cope with a depressive disorder:
•Only offer to help me if I ask you.
•Try to let me be in control of my treatment and recovery even if it seems that I want you to take charge.
•Try to stay positive, and be patient with me.
•Be prepared for my successes and setbacks.
We now invite the members of the group to share how they told their family and friends.
We also invite any who may be struggling with this problem to share it among the group so that solutions may be brainstormed!
Danielle, Bilingual Health Educator
