Do you notice when other people are depressed?

I can't really notice... unless I know that person very well, in that case yeah, I can tell when someone is depressed or heading into depression.  But I have to have known the person for several years, at least.  I can definitely tell when my mom or my boyfriend are depressed   But with other people?  I try not to jump to conclusions, after all some people are naturally silent and looking very serious when in public (just like me), but once they are with their loved ones everything changes. 

I remember friends purposely calling me to vent or ask for advice, so I really don't have to try to decipher hard if they are in need of a listening ear. Aside from that, if a person is really bothered then you will be able to tell by how they act or move, since they don't seem to be relaxed or at ease.

I only approach the people close to me. If a colleague shows signs of depression, I think twice before approaching him and talking about his problem. Some depressed people don't want to talk about their problem because they don't admit that they are depressed. And once they hear you talking about it, they get offended as if you told them they are mad. But with my close friends, I usually call their attention by inviting them to an activity like drinking in a bar, eating out or simply a stroll in the mall. And once he is comfortable with my company then it would be easier to open up the subject of depression. In fact, some of them were even the ones who open up the topic to confide to me. 

It is a tricky subject to bring up, and a lot of people find it a personal matter that they aren't going to want to talk about, no matter how close to that person you are. When I wen't through depression myself I didn't want anybody to find out for a number of years as I saw it as some kind of weakness, so even though because I have been through it myself I can see the signs, I wouldn't approach anybody and ask because I know how small that can make that person feel.

kelden said:

No is pretty hard to spot depression until you witness this person "breakdown" from a pretty intimal approach. Any person can fake a smile and laugh a lot, but feel doomed inside, .

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This is so very true. When I was living with my adopted family, my Mother told me that she had bumped into a friend of hers while out one day. She said that her friend had given me a compliment, saying that I always had a ready smile. But I was always such an unhappy child, grieving the loss of my real family. As well as the problems I had with my adopted family, I remember being quite perplexed how anyone could say that about me.


I guess I learned how to be a good actress. Faking my feelings in front of people I knew or didn't know. I believe this is what people who are depressed are very good at. Being able to hide their feelings.


It is possibly a reason why sufferers prefer their own company, choosing to stay home rather than going out to socialize. Putting on an act is difficult and draining on our minds energy. Having to get ourselves ready to go out into the big wide world takes far more effort than merely choosing what clothes to wear.