"Get over it."
Believe me, we would if we could. However, it's never that easy to simply "get over" depression or any other mental illness for that matter. You should remember that people with depression have a chemical imbalance that they can't turn on or off whenever they please. You wouldn't tell someone with the flu or a broken leg to "get over" their illness or injury, so why would you say that to someone with depression? You would be better off asking the person if there's anything you can do to help.
"You're just lazy."
What if I told you that depression makes it harder to do seemingly simple tasks such as going to class or doing homework. When someone has depression, they often feel tired or a lack of motivation. Often times, even they can't explain why they feel this way. It is important to keep in mind that people with depression are not lazy, but are in fact dealing with a symptom of their disorder. A better phrase to say is simply "I care about you."
"Maybe you should go outside more."
This is a combination the two previous items. While exercise does release endorphins that boost your mood, it can be difficult for someone with depression to get motivated get up and get going. As I said earlier, motivation does not come easy for those with depression. Also, this goes along with the phrase "get over it." Depression will not be automatically cured by people going outside for a jog. Instead of saying this, you might want to encourage the person to spend time with you, as human interaction can show the person you're there for them.
"You see a therapist?!"
There's
nothing wrong with seeking help. It is a sign of taking care of oneself, which
is obviously good. Just because someone has depression doesn't mean they have
to let their life waste away. We want to get better. Also, seeing a therapist
and getting help is not a sign of weakness. Many people with depression are
already quite strong, however we want to live our lives without facing these
daily battles of sadness and lack of energy and motivation. Instead of saying
this you should acknowledge the strength the person has.
"You're such a basket case."
That word should not be used around people with depression or anyone in general. It is often seen as being derogatory towards people with mental illnesses and adds to the negative stereotypes surrounding them. The last thing we need is more stigma surrounding depression. Instead, you should offer your support to the people with depression in your life. We will appreciate it greatly
