What do you say to coworkers about depression?

Question

When a person is out of work for a long time because of depression and return to work, and every body asks you why you were gone, what do you say?

So many people have such a stigma about depression.

Thanks in advance for your responses!!

Answer 1

you can say...there are approximately 20 million people in the world that suffer from depressive disorder and I am one of them. it is a treatable illness and I was being treated. tell them not to worry it's not contagious you can throw in that the only difference between you and them is that you have been diagnosed they haven't yet. nothing to be ashamed of...

Answer 2

This should not at all be a stigmatic thing. A very large percentage of people have had depression of one form or another at some point in their lives.

There is winter depression (because we don't get enough sunlight). There is post-partum depression (after childbirth), there are depressions of all forms - mild, moderate and severe.

I guess if you are worried about what people will think, you could say you were physically ill, but that should not even be necessary. The good thing is that you went and got the help you needed.

Answer 3

Medical Help

http://psychcentral.com/chats.htm

Answer 4

You can just say you were ill and don't want to talk about it, or that you had some personal issues that you needed to take care of. Assure them that everything is fine now (if it is). Depending on how your co-workers are, that might work, but it might also get the old rumor mill churning. You could also tell them about it, but that risks them stigmatizing you! I wouldn't make it public unless you were ready to give a good educational lesson to them about depression and they were ready to listen. Good luck!

Answer 5

your coworkers don't have to know anything about your depression, it is totally up to you whether you open up or not but as far as saying something to them just say that you had very personal issues to take care of. If you're really close with a particular co worker then I'd tell just that person what is really wrong.

Answer 6

If they want to talk about it, than "listen" and talk with them...

otherwise, treat them normal - meaning don't play on it. Everybody goes through their 'spurts' of depression...And it's like any illness - "an illness" (these people have not got the plague!)

Nobody wants to be treated like they're fragile, or something...

I think it depends on the individual person, what type of relationship you have with the person, etc...If you're a close friend, don't hesitate to offer your support. Encouragement goes a long way.

God Bless.

Answer 7

say u took some time off to visit some family, or say that ur old friends from out of town came to visit and that u wanted to show em a good time,

also if u dont want to lie, just say that u were going through a tough time and that u needed to deal with some issues, ull feel better and people will be nicer to you

Answer 8

Say that you had some personal issues you needed to work out

Answer 9

tell them its because of personal issues. that you had a family matter and it required your full attention and now things are straight so you are back and would prefer not to talk about it yet. its none of their business if you don't want it to be and it sounds like you don't. don't add to the depression by worrying about how to handle nosy people. your entitled to have boundaries and they should have enough respect for you to honor that. good luck :)

Answer 10

As much as you are comfortable with saying. You can say you were ill for a while if you don't want to say you were depressed. It isn't lying because depression can be caused by illness.