Who can I talk to?
Talking to someone
It is much easier for depression to take over when you are alone and out of contact with others. Telling somebody how you feel is a vital first step in breaking this isolation, so that you can build a network of support.
How does talking to someone help?
It can be quite hard to open up and be honest about how you really feel. You may be used to putting on a ‘front’ with others and pretending you are fine and hiding your tears. However, this leaves you feeling isolated and alone, which makes things worse. Below are some of the ways that talking to someone can make a big difference:
Unburdening yourself
It can be a great relief to get things off your chest. For some people it helps a lot if they know things will be kept confidential and secret (eg. talking to a professional).
Getting a perspective
Voicing your thoughts or fears is very useful in making sense of them and putting them into perspective.
Easing isolation
Dropping the mask, being honest and connecting with someone else on a real level helps to counter the isolating effect of depression and loneliness.
Care and compassion
If you choose well who to talk to, you are much more likely to be offered care and compassion than the rejection or ridicule you may fear or worry about.
Useful advice
Depending on who you talk to, you may get some useful help or advice in return – and even if some of it isn’t useful, remember you don’t have to take it!
Strategies and ways forward
Talking and openness shines a bright light onto depression’s distortions and lies. As you talk, you start to develop understanding and strategies for tackling
depression.
Support network
Different people offer different kinds of support, so talking to different people can help build up a useful support network.
It is much easier for depression to take over when you are alone and out of contact with others. Telling somebody how you feel is a vital first step in breaking this isolation, so that you can build a network of support.
How does talking to someone help?
It can be quite hard to open up and be honest about how you really feel. You may be used to putting on a ‘front’ with others and pretending you are fine and hiding your tears. However, this leaves you feeling isolated and alone, which makes things worse. Below are some of the ways that talking to someone can make a big difference:
Unburdening yourself
It can be a great relief to get things off your chest. For some people it helps a lot if they know things will be kept confidential and secret (eg. talking to a professional).
Getting a perspective
Voicing your thoughts or fears is very useful in making sense of them and putting them into perspective.
Easing isolation
Dropping the mask, being honest and connecting with someone else on a real level helps to counter the isolating effect of depression and loneliness.
Care and compassion
If you choose well who to talk to, you are much more likely to be offered care and compassion than the rejection or ridicule you may fear or worry about.
Useful advice
Depending on who you talk to, you may get some useful help or advice in return – and even if some of it isn’t useful, remember you don’t have to take it!
Strategies and ways forward
Talking and openness shines a bright light onto depression’s distortions and lies. As you talk, you start to develop understanding and strategies for tackling
depression.
Support network
Different people offer different kinds of support, so talking to different people can help build up a useful support network.