8 Quotes to Help Explain How Depression Feels

Depression affects nearly 7% of people in the United States, studies show. Worldwide, it is the leading cause of disability. Chances are you or someone you know has clinical depression. Depression can develop on its own or as a result of a triggering event. Both of these causes are very real and can lead to a diagnosis.

GoodTherapy.org wishes to bring understanding and hope to anyone affected by depression. These quotes depict the many ways people may experience and view the condition. You can download these quotes or share them with loved ones.

“Depression is the most unpleasant thing I have ever experienced … It is that absence of being able to envisage that you will ever be cheerful again. The absence of hope. That very deadened feeling, which is so very different from feeling sad. Sad hurts, but it’s a healthy feeling. It is a necessary thing to feel. Depression is very different.” – J.K. Rowling

“So often we try to make other people feel better by minimizing their pain, by telling them that it will get better (which it will) or that there are worse things in the world (which there are). But that’s not what I actually needed. What I actually needed was for someone to tell me that it hurt because it mattered.” – John Green

“Depression and I are old friends, but I do not court his company.” – Laura K. Rhodes

“Depression isn’t a choice, but stigma and ignorance are.” – Matt Haig

“I tried to commit suicide at 16, and now I’m standing here. I would like for this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she doesn’t fit in anywhere. You do. Stay weird. Stay different, and then when it’s your turn and you are standing on this stage please pass the same message along.” – Graham Moore

“That’s the thing about depression: A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it’s impossible to ever see the end. The fog is like a cage without a key.” – Elizabeth Wurtzel

“You say you’re depressed – all I see is resilience. You are allowed to feel messed up and inside out. It doesn’t mean you’re defective – it just means you’re human.” – David Mitchell

“If you know someone’s who’s depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation: depression just is, like the weather.” – Stephen Fry

Although depression impacts many, it is not always well-understood. People with depression may often feel misjudged. This can lead to feelings of isolation and shame, or even deeper depression.

Sometimes, depression causes fatigue. This often makes it hard for people to complete normal daily routines. It might feel like a large effort just to get out of bed or brush one’s teeth. Others with depression can mask their condition. These people may seem funny, charming, or warm while hiding despair or apathy.

If you or someone you know needs urgent help with depression, it is a good idea to seek support. Find a therapist or contact a resource on our crisis page for immediate care.

Reference:

Depression statistics. (n.d.). Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Retrieved from https://secure2.convio.net/dabsa/site/SPageServer/?pagename=education_statistics_depression

The preceding article was solely written by the author named above. Any views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the preceding article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment below.