Depression & Your Social Life: Depression Skills 11| Dr. Rami Nader

Depression profoundly impacts social relationships by causing withdrawal and isolation. People with depression often withdraw from friends and may go months without interacting with anyone beyond their immediate family or colleagues. Moreover, close relationships suffer due to increased conflict and the feeling of not meeting others' expectations. Depression can make individuals passive, leading to them being taken advantage of and experiencing additional stress, thus fueling their depression further. Research highlights the importance of strong social support networks in depression recovery and preventing future episodes. To improve social support, one must evaluate their current social network, envisioning it as concentric circles with themselves at the center: Closest friends and intimate relationships; Other friends with whom some personal information is shared; Acquaintances, like coworkers or neighbors, with whom polite interactions occur; and Familiar faces, recognized but lacking a strong connection. Recognize that a gap between the actual and ideal network is common, even without depression. The aim is not to achieve a perfect match but to lessen the difference. Even if depression makes someone believe they want no social connections, it's usually the depression talking, and building a supportive social network remains vital for recovery and overall well-being.
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[@funnycalicocat3690]

I only had close friends until maybe 30 then gradually became disappointed in them and now I have mostly familiar faces and one friend, who is very innocent but at the same time very different from me so I don't feel she can support me when I need it. She uses me for venting more than anything.

[@beautifulspirit2973]

I’m struggling to go out at the moment because of stress and agree it’s cyclic.

[@ameliamorningstar]

I did too. I started with walks around the block. It gets easier.

[@mauriceb2172]

Thanks for this information‼️

[@DrRamiNader]

You're welcome!

[@Nancy-dz1vo]

You have to have a few friends and relationships. I have at lest 5

[@pippipster6767]

A busy social network is an expectation of society.
A little bit like when you are asked ‘how are you’ and you are expected just to say ‘fine.’
But it’s not a one size fits all.
It doesn’t suit everybody.
In my life, I have only ever had a few friends and that’s just the way I like it.

[@DrRamiNader]

Exactly. It's not the size of the social network that matters, but more the discrepancy between actual vs ideal for the person.

[@gracekennelly8534]

🎉 Hi from Kelowna BC ! Love your videos Dr Nader 😊

[@DrRamiNader]

Hi from Vancouver! Glad you have found the videos helpful.

[@lifeadvice3831]

I have no social support network and im too depressed to go out and meet new people, what do i do then ?

[@Quiestre]

if I wouldnt go to the office I wouldnt talk to any real human being for most of the year. I meet my mother like a few times a year and occasionally I meet with an old friend but that usually like once or twice a year

[@ameliamorningstar]

I relate 🫶

[@ameliamorningstar]

CPTSD from being stalked caused me to isolate. It felt safe in the moment but now I can see this was maladaptive. I’m rebuilding my circles from scratch at 40 and that’s okay 🫶