"I don't know" or "nothing" - the impulsive reaction of a lot of people. When someone asks me if something is wrong, my instinctual response is to say "nothing". It's not always true. And sometimes, it could not be further from the truth. But it's a good way to shut people up out/up, though.

I think people do this for many reasons. They do it because they think that talking to someone about something that is weighing on their mind is an admission to themselves. And they don't want that. Because they don't want to be seen as a wimp . Or sometimes, they're just scared that it will hurt more to talk about than it already does to not talk about.

In reality, saying “nothing” is unfair to those who care for you. I mean, people around you will be able to tell when something is not quite right. And when they ask if something’s wrong, saying “nothing” might probably shut them up, but it does not allay their worries. It will only make it worse.

Honestly speaking, I think they are just presenting themselves as a sounding board for you to let out your issue, and not to find solutions for it. But it’s not intrusive lah don’t get me wrong. So please guys, next time somebody notices that you’re acting weird and is sincerely concern about you, don’t shut them out. Share your problems with them. Even if it gets nowhere, at least you know that they’re there for you.