I'm Still Human: Understanding Depression With Kindness (Expanded Edition - 2021)

(8) You must be too free and thinking too much. Why don’t you
do something useful, e.g. exercise?
WHY NOT? Depression is not necessarily caused by having too
much of time, doing nothing, or thinking negatively. A person with
depressive mood has biochemical abnormalities in the brain and
body that cause them to have no strength to work on things. Just as
a person with knee injury can’t walk, a person with ‘mood injury’
(depression) can’t work.
Say: Feeling restless and like you’re wasting time is an
awful experience. Let’s start with doing the easy tasks.
(9) Never have suicidal thought. Your family will be hurt if you
die of suicide.
WHY NOT? Nobody wants to end their lives prematurely. People
with depression want to end their pain; not their lives. Having
suicidal thought is not a choice. It’s the consequence of the pain of
depression. Don’t add more pain by making them feel sorry for
having suicidal thoughts.
Say: Depression is painful, and it’s understandable that
you wish to end the pain. Depression is treatable! Let’s
seek advice from mental health professionals for
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