Don't Mistake

Not all depression is mental problem or issue, but many times there is a physical basis for the appearance of depression, some in the body, some in the brain, and mostly a combination of the two as the body makes a person physically tired which in turns makes them mentally tired.

My point? Don't mistake depression as a mental problem or issue with the person. They could be sick, ill, tired, etc., or simply reacting to their environment, pressure from work, overwhelmed with the world demanding their attention, decisions and actions.

If you get to ask questions, ask about their life, their health, their fitness, etc. and all the problems in the life. Just let them talk and only ask questions to understand more about the problems they have. Let them talk about their life which is often where everything starts.

Depression is a reaction, a response to the world around them, and if they're not physically well for a variety of reasons, then they will be depressed, so address those issues and problems if they ask and want your help.

Otherwise, don't think they're depressed because they mentally sick and try to treat them yourself. That's the last thing they need or want, to be labelled and called mentally sick. Leave it out of the discussion unless they ask you.