It can be challenging to know what to say when someone is emotionally drained. However, it's essential to be supportive and understanding and give them some space.

What can you say? What can be done? What should someone say to someone depressed or anxious, struggling with fears and self-doubts? How can we help them get back up on their feet?

Common signs that someone is emotionally drained

1. They seem unusually quiet or withdrawn. They don't smile, laugh, or want to go out with friends. They may be irritated easily and snap at you when they usually wouldn't
2. Sometimes when people are emotionally drained, they will act uncharacteristically to indicate their emotional stressors.
3. They can show signs of anhedonia, having trouble enjoying things that once pleased them. For example, maybe there was a time when your friend loved watching football with you on Sunday afternoon, but now it's like pulling teeth just trying to get them to come over. Social withdrawal is another sign of depression.
4. Maybe this person has always been very high-strung but lately seems particularly restless or on edge. Or, perhaps they tell you they can't sleep at night because their mind won't turn off.
5. Maybe this person seems very quiet and keeps to themselves more than usual. You might be tempted to ask if everything's okay, but that could end up putting them on the spot and making things worse. 

It's not always easy to see the signs that someone is emotionally exhausted. When we're feeling overwhelmed and stressed, we tend to close ourselves off from others and put up a wall of sorts. You can learn more about how to get emotional rest in this article.

We might stop socialising with friends or go out as much as we used to because it feels too overwhelming. Or, we might be tempted to push people away because opening up about what's going on doesn't seem appealing.

Sometimes you can help by asking open-ended questions like: "Is everything okay?" or "How are things going?" If they say no, ask them if you can do anything to help. If they say yes, but don't want you to ask any more questions, then let it go.

This person may be trying to cope independently and feel embarrassed about asking for help. They might need a little time to work it out before they're ready to talk about what's going on. Don't take it personally if they don't want to confide in you right away.

If the person is usually a private or reclusive type, you can let them know you are here if they need someone to talk to. Then, if it feels appropriate, give them a tight hug and tell them that everything will be okay—it might not solve the problem, but your support will go a long way towards helping them feel better!

If someone is very quiet or seems stressed out, encourage them to exercise. For example, taking a walk, going for a run, or playing a sport with friends can help them clear their heads and give them a sense of accomplishment when they exercise regularly.

What to say to someone who's emotionally drained

It's not easy to know what to do or say, but the first step is to understand where they are.

First, consider if now is a good time to talk. If you've tried before and they seem reluctant to open up, wait for another time. When someone is emotionally drained, it can be challenging to listen right away because they may still be processing what's going on or trying to resolve their feelings internally. You don't want to overwhelm them more by forcing them to talk about their feelings when they're not ready.

When they are ready, though, here are some things that are helpful to say:

"I care about you."

This simple statement lets them know that you're there for them. It takes courage to reach out for help, so let them know that you support them no matter what.

"It's okay not to be okay."

When people feel down or emotionally drained, they may think that it's a weakness or try harder to get over their feelings. They may also be comparing themselves to others who seem happy and trying even more challenging to mimic those feelings. It can make them think they'll never pull out of the rut because no one else seems stuck in one like them. Instead, you can let them know that everyone experiences depression from time to time and that it's nothing to be ashamed of.

"What do you need right now?"  

Sometimes just being asked what they can help someone feel cared for. You don't have to know all the answers, but taking the time to ask them shows that you're there for them.

"Can I do anything to help?"

This is another caring gesture that they may appreciate. Even though you can't take their emotional pain away, sometimes knowing someone is willing to lift the burden of responsibility makes it easier to bear.

Those are just some things to say when someone is emotionally drained or struggling with depression or anxiety. But, unfortunately, most of the time, people don't know what to say, so they avoid talking about symptoms of depression altogether.

You can do a few things to help someone struggling with depression. The first thing is to let them know that you care and want to help. It also might be helpful to ask if they wish to help and what they need. Don't try to fix the problem; let them know you're there for them no matter what. Another thing that helps is just spending time together as friends or as a family as that can help.

Lastly, depression symptoms tend to worsen over long periods. So if you see that someone is struggling with depression, it's helpful to check in with them regularly or even set up a time to meet for coffee every week or so to make sure they're okay."

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