What To Do If You Know Someone That Appears To Be Depressed

Winter weather is enough to give anyone a mild case of seasonal depression as we wait for warmer weather. For people who suffer from chronic depression, however, the sun never quite feels like it's shining. Work and relationships become completely overwhelming when it takes all one's energy just to get out of bed in the morning. According to the Center for Disease Control, "an estimated 1 in 10 Americans" suffers from depression. Yet, it is often difficult for people without depression to know how to help or comfort their friends or family who experience the illness. Most often this happens due to popular misconceptions.

Here are 7 Things NOT to Say to Someone with Depression: 

1.  "I know how you feel"
2.  "Suck it up"
3.  "Cheer up"
4.  "You have to be strong for your kids"
5.  "It's all in your head"
6.  "Just think - there are others who have it worst than you do"
7.  "Just snap out of it"

Sometimes the simplest approach is the best. Just being there and helping someone connect to treat­ment resources can be exactly the help that they need.