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5 bullshit pieces of advice that don’t help anyone (and 3 that do)
Why your well-meaning platitudes may not be as supportive as you think
As someone who suffers with depression, I’ve been given more than my fair share of unsolicited advice in my time on Earth. It’s got to the point where I don’t know why anyone bothers training to become a therapist anymore, given every Tom, Dick and Harry thinks they know how to fix your problems and they’re willing to tell you for free. Even if you ask them not to.
So, out of both the goodness of my heart and a burning desire to punch the next person to tell me to “think positively” in the throat, I have compiled a list of useless advice and thoroughly un-inspirational quotes for anyone who actually wants to help people to avoid. And, because I don’t want to be accused of being solely a negative Nelly, some guidance that I, at least, have found helpful.
Don’t say
1.“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”
This quote is largely attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt, and with all due respect to the former First Lady, it is one of the stupidest things anyone has ever said. Oh, I’ll just…stop responding to emotional stimuli? I’m so sorry I have feelings Eleanor.
