3 Things You Really Don't Want to Say to Someone Struggling with Depression [2025 Repost] | Praise Podcast

Avoid these expressions if you really want to help someone to feel that they are not alone.

https://momo634.com/p/depression-3-things-dont-say-2025

#depression #anxiety #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #endthestigma #mentalwellness

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momo634.com

00:00:35 --> 00:00:41 Hello, and welcome to Momo 634, Motivational Moments, just for today.

00:00:44 --> 00:00:48 Remember yesterday when I said people made hurtful comments to me,

00:00:48 --> 00:00:50 prompting me to become more vocal,

00:00:50 --> 00:00:52 but that most were unintentional?

00:00:54 --> 00:00:58 Today we're going to talk about a few that are intentional,

00:00:59 --> 00:01:01 or completely misinformed,

00:01:01 --> 00:01:05 and or caused the person struggling to shut down.

00:01:06 --> 00:01:07 In scrolling social media,

00:01:08 --> 00:01:12 I saw a Dear Abby letter from a woman wanting advice on how to

00:01:12 --> 00:01:13 deal with her friend

00:01:14 --> 00:01:19 that she described as clinically depressed and who was exhausting.

00:01:20 --> 00:01:23 The author then proceeded to talk mostly about herself.

00:01:25 --> 00:01:25 At one point,

00:01:26 --> 00:01:29 the writer seemed to indicate the friend was intentionally

00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 draining and actually

00:01:31 --> 00:01:31 said,

00:01:32 --> 00:01:34 Who doesn't have problems?

00:01:34 --> 00:01:35 This is life.

00:01:35 --> 00:01:38 Sometimes we're happy, sometimes we're not.

00:01:39 --> 00:01:43 Let's deconstruct some of these unhelpful statements as we

00:01:43 --> 00:01:45 discuss the three things

00:01:45 --> 00:01:49 you really don't want to say to someone struggling with their

00:01:49 --> 00:01:50 mental health.

00:01:52 --> 00:01:56 It's all in your head, made up, or for attention.

00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 By it's all in your head,

00:01:59 --> 00:02:02 if you mean the area of your body,

00:02:03 --> 00:02:04 that's different.

00:02:05 --> 00:02:08 But if you really mean that it's made up,

00:02:09 --> 00:02:09 fictional,

00:02:10 --> 00:02:11 to get attention,

00:02:11 --> 00:02:12 I will tell you this.

00:02:13 --> 00:02:18 No one chooses to feel as awful as one does when dealing with a

00:02:18 --> 00:02:19 clinical depression.

00:02:20 --> 00:02:22 I would not wish it on anyone.

00:02:23 --> 00:02:25 Unless you have truly been there,

00:02:25 --> 00:02:26 done that,

00:02:27 --> 00:02:29 you really cannot understand.

00:02:30 --> 00:02:30 In fact,

00:02:31 --> 00:02:32 some who held beliefs,

00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 similar to the author of the Dear Abby letter,

00:02:35 --> 00:02:38 have themselves subsequently dealt with severe depression and

00:02:38 --> 00:02:40 later apologized to

00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 me because they really did not understand.

00:02:44 --> 00:02:49 Another statement I've heard personally, if you just had more faith.

00:02:50 --> 00:02:54 This correlates with a belief that it's a personal weakness.

00:02:55 --> 00:02:59 In fact, it takes someone strong to fight their way back from depression.

00:03:00 --> 00:03:04 And those of us who believe in the power of prayer do pray

00:03:05 --> 00:03:06 fervently to persevere.

00:03:08 --> 00:03:12 Depression is an ailment as real and legitimate as Parkinson's,

00:03:12 --> 00:03:13 Alzheimer's,

00:03:14 --> 00:03:14 cancer.

00:03:15 --> 00:03:15 And yes,

00:03:16 --> 00:03:20 while prayer helps us to hold on to God through trial,

00:03:20 --> 00:03:24 we wouldn't tell someone with these other illnesses it's a

00:03:24 --> 00:03:25 personal weakness.

00:03:26 --> 00:03:30 I learned quickly that I couldn't always share with others and

00:03:30 --> 00:03:31 let them know what

00:03:31 --> 00:03:35 was going on with me or risk comments like number three.

00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 I once had a bad hair day,

00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 or argument with my significant other,

00:03:41 --> 00:03:45 or some other situational issue that doesn't compare equally.

00:03:47 --> 00:03:51 As the Dear Abby letter writer argues, isn't that just life?

00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 Don't we all have good and bad days?

00:03:56 --> 00:03:56 As a friend,

00:03:57 --> 00:04:01 don't equate your temporary situation with that of your

00:04:01 --> 00:04:02 struggling friend.

00:04:05 --> 00:04:07 Job's friends came and sat with him,

00:04:08 --> 00:04:09 mourned with him,

00:04:10 --> 00:04:14 and for seven glorious days said nothing.

00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 But then they began to speak,

00:04:19 --> 00:04:24 railing on him in utter confidence that he was in the wrong and

00:04:24 --> 00:04:25 brought his

00:04:25 --> 00:04:26 calamities upon himself.

00:04:28 --> 00:04:29 Boy, were they wrong.

00:04:31 --> 00:04:33 Our meme for today says,

00:04:34 --> 00:04:37 even if you don't understand the situation,

00:04:38 --> 00:04:41 you can still sit in solidarity.

00:04:43 --> 00:04:45 If you're someone who is struggling with depression,

00:04:46 --> 00:04:49 feel free to chime in in the comments and let us know if there

00:04:49 --> 00:04:49 have been some

00:04:49 --> 00:04:53 statements that have been unhelpful or statements that are helpful.

00:04:54 --> 00:04:57 And you can review yesterday's podcast and hear the three ways

00:04:57 --> 00:04:58 that you can help

00:04:59 --> 00:05:02 someone who is suffering with a mental health condition.

00:05:04 --> 00:05:07 If you are the friend of someone who is suffering from depression,

00:05:08 --> 00:05:10 you can also share your comments with us.

00:05:11 --> 00:05:11 As always,

00:05:12 --> 00:05:14 if you feel that you're in crisis,

00:05:14 --> 00:05:17 please contact a mental health provider.

00:05:17 --> 00:05:21 If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and share it with others.

00:05:22 --> 00:05:26 Free subscribers get the podcast and companion meme emailed daily.

00:05:26 --> 00:05:29 Paid subscribers get an additional weekend episode,

00:05:30 --> 00:05:32 as well as other subscriber-only perks.

00:05:33 --> 00:05:37 Momo634 is also on major podcast platforms and

00:05:37 --> 00:05:39 and on social media.

00:05:39 --> 00:05:44 See the tab at momo634.substack.com.

00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 Thank you for listening to Momo 634.

00:05:49 --> 00:05:52 Motivational moments just for today.