“Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.”
–
Depression is a horrible mental illness that can change a person completely. It can often be difficult to spot, as sufferers hide their struggles well. Although someone may not tell you about the torment that’s going on inside their minds, there are some ways you can still tell if someone around you is suffering from depression.
People with this mental illness often use subtle words or phrases that show that something could be wrong. To help you spot them, here are 6 phrases that could signal depression which you shouldn’t ignore.
1. “I’m Just Tired”
More often than not, when someone has depression, they don’t want anyone to find out about it. They will find it hard to act their usual selves, which can sometimes be spotted by the people around them. When people point it out, they’ll often make excuses for their low mood such as being tired or sick.
2. “I Should Be…”
They feel worthless and useless. Instead of focusing on their achievements and good qualities, they focus mainly on what they should be doing. They constantly feel like they need to be better, smarter, and more capable. In their minds, they “should be” everything that they’re not.
3. “It’s My Fault”
Guilt upon the conscience, like rust upon iron, both defiles and consumes it, gnawing and creeping into it, as that does which at last eats out the very heart and substance of the metal.
– Robert South
A depressed mind is wrought with guilt and feelings of unworthiness. No matter what happens around them, someone who suffers from depression will find a way to blame themselves. Even if what happened had nothing to do with them, they will still believe that it was due to something that they said, did, or didn’t do.
4. “I Can’t…”
They’re minds constantly tell them that they’re not good enough to do what everyone else can. They feel like they’re incapable of doing anything right. You’ll often hear them saying that that can’t do something, or that they’re not good enough to do something. Similarly, they sometimes feel like they’re not mentally strong enough. They feel like they can’t go on with life.
5. “What’s the Point?”
“Depression is being colorblind and constantly told how colorful the world is.”
-Atticus
Although to many, the world may seem bright and hopeful, it’s much different in the eyes of someone with depression. Their world is full of darkness and isolation. They see no reason for anything and no point to living. Why go on in a world that’s so bleak and unforgiving?
6. “There’s No Way…”
Have you ever found yourself going through a rough patch that seemed to keep getting worse? That feeling when things seem desperate is never ending when someone has depression. They truly believe that things will only ever get worse. There’s no way that things will ever be good again and there’s no way that they will ever be happy.
I’ve heard depression referred to as “the silent killer” and nothing has ever been truer. The tendency to hide their feelings can be detrimental to someone with this illness. It stops them from receiving the help and support that they desperately need. If you can spot the subtle signs in how they speak, you can do your very best to help them in their time of need.
Anyone could be suffering from depression without you ever knowing. Share this with your friends and family to help them spot when a loved one is in need of support.
