What Not to Say to a Grieving Person in Depression?

July 29, 2017:

Depression can be a tough illness to experience and understand. People who haven't endured the feeling of depression might confuse clinical depression with feeling sad or 'blue'.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, nearly one fifth of the work days missed in Britain is due to a mix of depression and anxiety, and 1 in 6 adults will suffer from a common mental disorder in any given week, as mentioned in Evening Standard.

Be it a family member, friend or colleague, when it comes to addressing a grieving person suffering from depression, it's important to ensure that whatever you speak to them doesn't make the situation unfavourable.

Reddit users have been registering to the forum to share what they think are the saddest things one can say to those suffering from depression.

It is very important to know how to support a loved one who has depression. Here are some of the things you should avoid saying to a grieving person according to Reddit users.

"People have it worse than you do"

It basically immortalizes the notion that the individual shouldn't be upset or depressed. The suggestion makes them feel like they're even more broken or easily targeted because they're overreacting to the situation. They're already in a hole, you're just pushing them further down.

Depressed? You don't have a reason to be depressed!

People simply don't understand what depression is, and what impact it can have on a person's life. This is something that should be taught in schools, including how to avoid it.

ALSO READ: Prolonged Depression Can Change Structure of Your Brain

Just think happy thoughts and the sad ones will go away

Getting over with depression just by thinking about happy moments does not help. Getting rid of it isn't as easy as it seems. People have good intentions but such pieces of advice do not work when depression hits.

It'll get better!

A Reddit user backlashed the above statement by writing, "My mom always said it will be okay in the end; if it's not over, it's not the end. Well, now the end is probably going to be the sweet embrace of death."

Be thankful God woke you up for another day!

Depression makes the sufferers turn into a deeply bitter and hateful individual. Waking up with a wishful thinking is far fetched for these people. You must avoid telling them so.

A kid in Africa would love to trade places with you

The statement permanently damaged the relationship of a Reddit user with her parents, and it is "one of the few things that can still make me cry", she wrote.

You are straight and white. Why don't you realise how privileged you are?

For someone who is already into depression wouldn't like to hear how much privileged he is. Prerogatives do not prevent sadness.

You need to fix yourself on your own

That is just so heart-wrenching.

– by Naina Mishra of Newsgram. Twitter @Nainamishr94