Having No One to Talk to About Your Depression
It can be hard to find someone to talk to about your depression yet it is one of the first pieces of advice people give. Others tell you to find someone to talk to. That someone could be a friend, a family member, or a professional therapist. Whoever it is, the important thing is that you have someone to talk to about your depression. But sometimes, for whatever reason, we have no one.
Having a social support system is crucial. Living with mental illness is exhausting and can overtax an already strained mind. A social support system shares in the heavy-lifting with you so that you have room to breathe.
Unfortunately, we do not all have access to a robust social support system. In some cases, we do not have a single person to turn to for support. Does this mean our situation is hopeless? Does this mean there is no way to help ourselves?
Who Can You Talk to About Your Depression When You Have No One?
If we do not have a social support system to rely on, the only other option is to act as our own social support system. This can be difficult depending on the way the symptoms of your depression manifest, but it is not impossible. Try these three techniques:
- Journaling -- Journaling is a great way to articulate your thoughts and feelings the way you would to another person but to yourself. In fact, in some ways, it is even more effective considering the complete privacy of a journal. You can write at your own pace, go off on tangents, and be as honest as you want without fear of judgment.
- Watching movies/TV and reading books -- Watching film and television and reading books is one way to help you feel connected when you feel alone. You may find yourself identifying with fictional characters navigating their fictional world. Having ready access to these characters and being able to engage with them on your own terms can be comforting in difficult times.
- Drawing, painting, writing, etc. -- Bringing yourself to do proactive things such as drawing and painting when you are depressed can be tricky. But if you are able to, engaging in creative activity can be a powerful tool for expressing yourself when a conversation is not an option. Talking about your thoughts and feelings is not easy. Having an outlet through which to express those thoughts and feelings in a more abstract way can feel gratifying and instill confidence.
Having someone to talk to is invaluable. Consider yourself lucky if have that special person in your life. But being alone is no excuse to give up on your mental health. It is an obstacle, but one that can be dealt with just like every obstacle that has come before. Take the appropriate steps, take responsibility, and take a chance at acting as your own support system.
Who do you talk to about your depression? If there's no one, what do you do to remedy the problem?
APA Reference
Chang, K.
(2019, August 29). Having No One to Talk to About Your Depression, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, November 24 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/copingwithdepression/2019/8/having-no-one-to-talk-to-about-your-depression
Author: Kayla Chang
I have never needed a psychiatrist or a lawyer. But I need one or both now. I am 82 years old and don't know where to turn.
That's a great question! Word of mouth is a great resource. If you have people you trust in the same area, ask around - everyone seems to know someone. However, you can ask your primary care physician about a recommended psychiatrist or Google "ZocDoc." On this website, you can read reviews and see what ratings psychiatrists in your area have.
As for lawyers, Google the Bar Association of your home state. There should be a list of resources and listings for the type of lawyer you need. I hope this helps!
I feel like alone, don't have anyone to talk to, everything I try to do something right always end up getting blamed. I care about people and always end up get hurt. I just give up hope
i am depressed as but admitting to anyone who might help isnt a option so i figure this is just how life is
Hi Lorna, I know just how you feel. I don't have anyone to talk to either. But if you want, you can talk to me. x
I appreciate the article, but it's just more b.s. Zero people to talk to. I've tried all the other solutions. In fact, I dwell in those solutions. They don't make up for having someone to talk to when you're lower than low.
I have no one to talk to. When I try to talk to family members, they don't respond because they think when I want to talk about my depression and my issues involving it, they think I am crazy and will not do anything to make me feel better.
This posting really hits home with me. I have friends but don't want to dump on them and I am afraid they will think I am weird. My husband is extremely un empathetic with most things- he has a "get over it" attitude about those things. I want to sleep way too much. There are several areas of my life that are bothering me- marital , a big betrayal by a friend that has impacted seven other mutual friendships, feeling lost after retirement - I have tried to talk to a therapist it did not help, maybe he just was not a good fit. Any way I is nice to know there are others who struggle as well-
I just saw your post- and it spoke to me. I am looking forward to retire in dec 2033, but then I have these really sad moments where I feel lost. Would love to connect with you and I hope that you are doing well!
We live in such a fast paced go go want it now drive through world most people don't want to talk about the depression let alone try to understand and just judge label you asc razy how does one go about generally have no idea my work though
I am so happy to come across this read. Asy ou said, having someone to talk to about your depression is truly invaluable. Whether this person is a personal or professional connection, it is so important to have that outlet and safe space.