Why Just Listening In Silence To Someone With Depression Doesn’t Help?

Listening In Silence To Someone With Depression
Spread the love

  • A large body of research validates the benefits of listening in silence to someone with depression and social anxiety.
  • These works also highlight the importance of reflective listening and empathetic advising in mental health conversations.

Depression And The Science Of Listening

Depression is a debilitating mental health condition, marked by symptoms like sadness, anhedonia, worthlessness, and fatigue. Many people with depression find it difficult to manage their symptoms on their own and benefit from having someone to talk to.

Talking to someone about depression can provide an opportunity to share thoughts and feelings, and to receive support and encouragement. This can help to reduce feelings of isolation and helplessness and increase feelings of hope and empowerment.

However, recent research has shown that not all forms of communication are helpful for individuals with depression.

Does Listening In Silence To Someone With Depression Help?

A recent study published in the Journal of Social Psychology claimed that listening in silence to someone with depression might actually increase social anxiety. Conducted by the Hebrew University Business School, the study saw 95 participants respond to questionnaires about depression, social anxiety, narcissism, and “time-sharing” communication.

The results revealed that, for people with high levels of narcissism and depression, listening with time-sharing does not have a positive effect on psychological safety and increased social anxiety.

In fact, it cancels out the benefits of effective listening in mental health conversations. However, for individuals with low levels of narcissism and depression, time-sharing increases psychological safety and decreases social anxiety.

Towards Interventions

The findings of the study suggest that it’s important to consider individual differences when using time-sharing as a listening technique in any mental health conversation. This includes being mindful of an individual’s preferences and needs, and to offer different types of support accordingly.

It is also highlighted that other techniques (such as offering emotional support or giving advice) may be more effective for individuals with high levels of narcissism and depression. Nonetheless, actively seeking professional treatment for depression remains the most important step toward recovery.

Bettering Listening Techniques In Mental Health Conversations

To better your listening techniques during mental health conversations, it is important to give your full attention to the speaker and show empathy by acknowledging their feelings and experiences. Avoid interrupting or changing the subject, and, instead, use open-ended questions to encourage them to share more.

Practice active and reflective listening by summarizing what they said to show understanding and use non-judgmental language. Be mindful and present at the moment, avoiding distractions and multitasking.

Be patient and avoid rushing or pushing for a resolution. Ask the speaker what kind of support they need and adapt your approach to their needs. Remember, a little support means a lot to someone experiencing the debilitating consequences of mental illness.

Know More About –

  1. Depression
  2. Social Anxiety Disorder
  3. Holiday Depression
  1. What To Do If You Are Depressed: A 15-Step Guide
  2. 8 Signs Of Depression in Teens And How To Turn Things Around
  3. 3 Unrealistic Beliefs That Create Anxiety And Depression And How To Be Rid Of Them

Spread the love
  • Research Reveals How We Make Unconscious Decisions

    Research Reveals How We Make Unconscious Decisions

    Researchers explored how we make conscious and unconscious decisions.

  • Music Therapy: How Music Helps Mental Health?

    Music Therapy: How Music Helps Mental Health?

    Research explores the benefits of music in treating mental disorders.

  • How Do We Remember Positive Or Negative Memories? Study Finds

    How Do We Remember Positive Or Negative Memories? Study Finds

    Neuroscientists provided insights into the positive and negative power of…

  • How Wearing Face Masks Affect Behavior? Study Finds

    How Wearing Face Masks Affect Behavior? Study Finds

    Researchers explored the social benefits of wearing face masks.

  • Mind Blanking: What Is It And Why Do People Experience?

    Mind Blanking: What Is It And Why Do People Experience?

    Researchers explored the benefits of the phenomenology of “mind blanking”.

  • Are Mental Health Cases Rising Due To Generational Differences?

    Are Mental Health Cases Rising Due To Generational Differences?

    Researchers explore how generational differences influence mental health.

  • Food Smells Enable Time Travel: Study Finds

    Food Smells Enable Time Travel: Study Finds

    Researchers provided insights into the characteristics of “food memories”.

  • Maternal Depression Affects The Child’s Ability To Speak: Study Finds

    Maternal Depression Affects The Child’s Ability To Speak: Study Finds

    Researchers explored how maternal depression influences a child’s ability to…

  • Spending Time In Blue Spaces Boosts Mental Health: Study Finds

    Spending Time In Blue Spaces Boosts Mental Health: Study Finds

    Researchers explored how spending time in blue spaces boosts mental…

  • Beyond The Potterverse: How Tom Felton’s Mental Health Issues Shed Light On Drug Use

    Beyond The Potterverse: How Tom Felton’s Mental Health Issues Shed Light On Drug Use

    How actor Tom Felton’s autobiography explores his mental health battle…

  • Families Who Eat Together Are Less Stressed, Survey Confirms

    Families Who Eat Together Are Less Stressed, Survey Confirms

    Science provides insights into the psychological benefits of regular mealtimes…

  • Baby Talk Is Similar Across Different Languages: Study Finds

    Baby Talk Is Similar Across Different Languages: Study Finds

    Researchers explored the similarities in baby talk across different languages.

  • Counting Steps Lowers The Risk Of Chronic Diseases: Study Finds

    Counting Steps Lowers The Risk Of Chronic Diseases: Study Finds

    Researchers explored how counting steps reduces the risk of chronic…

  • Children Who Tell Blunt Truths Are Generally Judged Harshly: Study Claims

    Children Who Tell Blunt Truths Are Generally Judged Harshly: Study Claims

    Researchers provide insights into how adults judge children’s habit of…

  • Netflix’s “The Good Nurse” Reveals Charles Cullen’s Mental Illness

    Netflix’s “The Good Nurse” Reveals Charles Cullen’s Mental Illness

    Besides glimpses into a serial killer’s psychology, Netflix’s The Good…

  • Do Women Have A Better Vocabulary Than Men? Surprising Study Finds

    Do Women Have A Better Vocabulary Than Men? Surprising Study Finds

    Researchers examined the gender differences in cognitive abilities between men…

  • The Fear Of Negative Outcomes Decreases When You Are Aware Of Potential Dangers: Study

    The Fear Of Negative Outcomes Decreases When You Are Aware Of Potential Dangers: Study

    Researchers shed light on the psychology behind the fear of…

  • Does Photo-Taking Help Students Better Remember Online Lessons?

    Does Photo-Taking Help Students Better Remember Online Lessons?

    Researchers explored whether photo-taking helps students remember information better in…

  • The Inspiring Story Of Matthew Perry’s Addiction And Recovery

    The Inspiring Story Of Matthew Perry’s Addiction And Recovery

    How actor Matthew Perry’s new memoir chronicled his victory over…

  • Does Reducing Screen Time Make You More Productive?

    Does Reducing Screen Time Make You More Productive?

    American researchers explored the association between reducing screen time and…

  • Sedentary Lifestyle: Effects Of Social Interactions On Physical Activity

    Sedentary Lifestyle: Effects Of Social Interactions On Physical Activity

    Researchers examined how social interactions influence physical fitness.

  • Learning How To Learn Makes You Less Forgetful: Study Finds

    Learning How To Learn Makes You Less Forgetful: Study Finds

    Researchers provide insights into the effectiveness of the spacing and…

  • Dogs Can Smell Stress In Humans: Study Finds

    Dogs Can Smell Stress In Humans: Study Finds

    Researchers provided insights into how dogs can smell stress in…

  • Mental Health Of Housewives In India: The Uknown Facts

    Mental Health Of Housewives In India: The Uknown Facts

    Experts delve into the poor mental health experienced by homemakers…

  • Are Halloween and Mental Health Stigma Linked?

    Are Halloween and Mental Health Stigma Linked?

    Experts debate the association between Halloween and mental health.

  • Can A Stressful Job Make You Depressed?

    Can A Stressful Job Make You Depressed?

    Researchers explored the mental health effects of stressful jobs and…

  • Is It Beneficial To Eat Fruits For Mental Health?

    Is It Beneficial To Eat Fruits For Mental Health?

    Researchers explored how eating fruits for mental health can yield…