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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How can I tell people I have depression?

    Related Topics
    Depression Mental Health
    I have heard all the facts, but no where says how to explain to friends and family that I have depression. My mum says to just ask to talk to them, but that is NOT easy for me to do! I have a close group of friends and I want to tell them, but it is really hard to just get up and say I have depression. It is causing me a lot of anxiety and worry, I think they should know but I cannot say. I feel like there is someone putting a hand over my mouth every time I go to say something. Any tips will help! Ta.
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    • Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith
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    Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith

    Health Professional

    My research interests include immunology and the mechanisms of amyloid formation. The latter has implications for people who are dealing with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease … View Profile

    It is a hard question which I doubt has a “one size fits all” answer.

    The members of my family are aware of my depression and have been very supportive.

    I have many casual friends but only a few (about three) *close* friends. The latter are aware of my depression, partly because my behaviours impinged on them before I was in remission so I figured that they had a “right to know” - again they have offered me heaps of support.

    I see no reason to mention it to my casual friends, mainly because IRL I am intensely private (in MBTI jargon, an INTJ/INTP).

    A question for you which may help to bring these issues into focus (it has no “right” answer):

    What are you hoping for if you were to share your Dx with your family and friends? 

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