What To Do When Your Family Says Depression Is Not Real
If you have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder or believe you may be living with depression, it can be painful to hear that your parents and your family believe depression isn't real. Having an open and honest conversation with them about the symptoms you're experiencing may be helpful, but it can also lead to further invalidation.
Friends, support groups, and mental health professionals can provide a safe space to talk about your symptoms and your experience. In addition, you might consider working with a therapist to discuss your family's position on these matters and how to move forward. You're not alone, and depression is a real and serious mental illness, impacting over 280 million adults worldwide.
What is depression?
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) defines depression as major depressive disorder (MDD) and other depressive disorders, mental health conditions that affect over 280 million people worldwide. The ADAA explains that depression is characterized by having at least five out of nine common symptoms. Below are several of the symptoms that those with MDD may experience:
- An overwhelming and pervasive sense of sadness that doesn't go away
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Difficulty with social interactions
- Fatigue
- Recurrent thoughts of suicidal ideation
- Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Pronounced increase or decrease in appetite
- Significant memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
When these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, they may meet the criteria for major depression. For many people, untreated depression can last a long time, even years. If you believe you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, make an appointment with a mental health professional. Symptoms of depression may also be associated with other mental health conditions, like bipolar disorder.
If you're experiencing these symptoms, you may know that depression is more than sadness a lack of motivation, or simply going through a hard time. It may help you to know that you do not have to work through these symptoms alone. Your experience is real, and support is available.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text 988 to talk to a crisis provider over SMS. They are available 24/7 to offer support. 988 also offers an online chat for those with an internet connection.
How to react when your family says "depression isn't real"
If you feel comfortable discussing your mental health with your family, there may be some communication strategies you can employ to help them understand. Some family members may struggle to be caring and might act insensitive toward you. They may have their own challenges with stigma and denial regarding mental illness. If they don't understand mental illness, they could feel frightened or confused when you try to describe your emotions and experiences.
Your families may struggle to believe that an "invisible" illness exists and can have mental and physical impacts. Although they may be kind people that you love profoundly, their beliefs may cause you to feel alone in your condition. To combat these beliefs, consider the following steps.
Share resources
When tackling difficult conversations with people who don't understand depression, try to be aware of various resources you can use to combat misinformation. For example, the American Psychiatric Association explains why depression is a real mental health concern with serious impacts. While health websites can be useful resources for learning about certain conditions and treatments, the internet is not considered a reliable source for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you believe you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, make an appointment with a licensed mental health professional.
Speak openly and honestly
Even though it might be difficult, try to be open and honest with your family members about the symptoms you're experiencing. Suppose your family is not open to viewing resources or having an open conversation about depression. In that case, you might also seek support elsewhere or consider family therapy to discuss these challenges further and have a professional to back you up.
Find professional support
When family members aren't supportive, reaching out for professional support may be beneficial. Therapy can be a beneficial way to address depression and alleviate the symptoms you're experiencing. Mental health professionals are well-versed in medically reviewed studies that recognize the impacts depression can have on a person’s health as well as which treatments are most effective. They can offer treatment advice, diagnosis, and help you cope with your symptoms. if visiting a therapist's office to attend in-person sessions seems insurmountable, you may prefer to try online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp, where you can talk to a provider from home.
Online platforms can connect you with a therapist specializing in your unique goals and symptoms. You can also connect with multiple therapeutic modalities, depending on your preferences. Online therapy is often customizable to your needs, and you can stop or change therapists anytime.
One study explains that online therapy can be effective in treating depression. The study's participants experienced a notable reduction in depression symptoms sustained long-term after treatment.
Takeaway
Below are commonly asked questions on this topic:
What happens if you don't do anything about depression?
Some people may be able to work their way through depression on their own without getting treatment, but in some cases, if you don’t do anything to acknowledge or work through depression, it may continue or worsen.
What is depression?
Depression can be a serious mental illness that may affect 264 million people worldwide. Contrary to popular misconceptions, depression can be more than just “feeling sad,” and it generally isn’t something that people can “turn off” or “snap out of.”
What are the symptoms of depression?
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has observed that depression is often characterized by an overwhelming and pervasive sense of sadness that doesn’t go away. This sadness can be accompanied by feelings of worthlessness, fatigue, and recurrent thoughts of suicidal ideation*. Even if you don’t make specific plans for suicide, people with severe depression may spend a lot of time thinking that everything would be better if they were dead or that they don’t want to exist anymore. People with severe depression may also experience a lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy and a pronounced increase or decrease in appetite.
*If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 988 and is available 24/7.
Is depression real?
Depression can be a very real and serious mental illness that can become debilitating. Everybody may feel a bit sad from time to time, but people who live with depression are usually experiencing something much deeper than passing sadness. Depression is generally not something people can control or “opt out of” at will; that’s why it can be important to seek treatment and support.
What is the best type of therapy for depression?
Your therapist can work with you to construct a tailor-made treatment plan for your depression. However, cognitive-behavioral therapy (often abbreviated as CBT) is typically the best type of treatment for depression.
What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
CBT is a form of a psychotherapy (often referred to as “talk therapy”) that usually encourages you to take an active role in your own recovery by deconstructing the negative thought processes and behaviors that can contribute to depression. Many people with depression experience habitual negative responses that encourage self-defeating thinking. Over time, these thought processes can contribute to depression and make you feel hopeless. By deconstructing these automatic negative reactions, CBT can help you recognize your thought patterns and cultivate positive responses. CBT can also empower you to break free from common cognitive distortions that may contribute to depression, such as all-or-nothing thinking and overgeneralization.
- Previous Article
- Next Article