Learning the language of depression: overcoming communication barriers so people with depression are safe and understood

Introduction

Part I: Depression's 'verbal language barrier'. What people with depression actually mean when they say 'I have depression'

What people with depression actually mean when they say 'I'm fine' or 'I'm OK'

What people with depression actually mean when they say 'Leave me alone'

What people with depression actually mean when they say 'I'm tired'

What people with depression actually mean when they say 'I can't ...'

What people with depression actually mean when they say 'I'm busy'

What people with depression actually mean when they say 'I want to go home'

What people with depression actually mean when they say 'I don't care'

What people with depression actually mean when they say 'I'm not hungry'

What people with depression actually mean when they say 'I'm having a good day'

Part II: 'Verbal language barrier' in the context of suicide in particular. The language people with depression use that can mean they are suicidal

Part II: Depression's 'noverbal language barriers'. Depression's 'facial language barriers'

Depression's 'touch language barriers'

Conclusion: A brief recap + one last suggestion to help you continue navigating depression's 'language barriers' moving forward

Appendix: Questionnaire to help you identify what the storm zone, the rain zone, and the cloud zone look like for you

Notes

About the depression project

Index.