The Depression Dictionary
Hello, everyone!
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses - indeed, when describing 'mental illnesses' one of the first words that come to the minds of most people is 'depression'. What is depression, though, may not come as readily to some - to some people, depression is any fleeting moment of sadness, or any prolonged period of pain. Google calls depression 'feelings of severe despondency or dejection', but all the online dictionaries have different definitions.
In much that same vein, what do you think? What do 'depression', 'sadness', 'pain', 'mental illness' and 'mental health' mean to you?
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@Imogene
"Sadness" is inadequate when describing depression. Depression is a void. It is absence, a void. It is extermination while remaining conscious. I heard Will Weaton describe it well as a howling darkness.
@WorthyStruggle
Wow, this is a really thorough explanation! Thank you for sharing.
@Imogene depression isnt a "sad", but rather a "pain". A literal mental pain. It hurts me to think about certain things. It hurts me to talk to people. It hurts to have emotions. It hurts to lie awakr at night knowing none of your friends know about it or even care. It hurts to be alive.thats what depression is to me.
@Ylisse
That does sound incredibly painful! Honestly, it hurts me to think about certain things too, so I get where you're coming from. It sounds like you're feeling pain because of a lack of support, I'm sorry you have to deal with that!
@Imogene. Thank you for your concern! Fortunately, i do have a friend here who is very comforting. However, there are still many things I wish for, including more people who care.
What do
depression is stuck in a state of sadness or negativity, sometimes it paralyzing
sadness lack or losing happiness like a balloon losing air
pain uncomfort or a moment which the mind cannot understand the body
mental illness the accumulation of knowledge to know within the mind something is wrong (Note: I never said normal, that is just a setting on appliances)
mental health is knowledge and ways to improve and make the mental state of mind calmer, possibly better
@Rebekahwriter13
I appreciate the sharing of your thoughts, thank you! It sounds like you've personal experiences with many of these things and I'm sorry to hear that it's tough for you, though.
@Imogene I experience them everyday
What do 'depression', 'sadness', 'pain', 'mental illness' and 'mental health' mean to me?
Depression means feeling low and sadness, but also feeling nothing. It means you're stuck in a dark place for a longer period of time.
Pain means hearing or seeing the people you love ignore the depression you're going through. Even when it's visible to the eye that it's not going alright.
Mental illness means all the struggles you face in your mind. Depression, anxiety and other mental disorders that make it hard for you to function properly.
Mental health means feeling alright for longer periods of time and having a healthy mind, one that's not full of problems like depression.
@DepressedPanda4893
I love how you're relating everything to depression! It's honestly so hard to go through, but thank you for being here and sharing your definitions. I definitely agree with your description of pain, it's really painful to see that people will willingly turn a blind eye towards someone else's suffering. Mental illness is definitely about mental struggles! And yay for healthy minds! Thank you for sharing.
The pain is horrific, embarassing, and never ending. But it opens compassion to others.
@bestVase7265
I love how hopeful that last part is! I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing pain, though.
Thanks. The last few days have pushed me to the limit. I am trying hard to admit that I need help immediately, but honesty can be really scary. @Imogene
Depression is 46 years of feeling unloved and used by everyone abs doing everything you can to be friendly or helpful; but never finding kindness or love in return.
I'm 54, so by age 8 I was asking my parents of anyone loved me and if I was going to die that night. Happened about 3 or 4 times a week. I hated my father; he was cruel and abusive - physicality & mentally. My mother was cold and had no emotion do we never bugged or said I love you.
Drinking by 14, pot by 15; had a favorite song, but only really the first verse; it was my cry, my plea. "All Along the Watchtower" starts "there must be some kind of way out of here, said the joker to the thief". Which I was didn't matter, I just wanted out of this life. Didn't want to kill myself, never have. Just hated & hate my life so much I just want to pack up and leave. But I stay, and help people, looking for that one person's to take my hand and not let go and say I love you for just who you are; you don't have to do our be anything different.
Someday I'll leave this town, this state and go do what I want to do; live my life. But until I quit being afraid of disappointing people; it won't happen.
I have a plan to leave this spring; I hope I follow through. I have to.
@TigerRidge2019
Oh gosh, that sounds so tough! It sounds like you do a lot for others but you never get much back. I'm sorry to hear that you had a tough family life, it sounds like that really impacted you negatively in terms of your mental health. I hope you manage to follow through with your plan and best of luck!
@Imogene Thank you. I'm actually selling things in my house to prepare to move and looking for a house to move to do I'm all ready to go. Personally I'd love to live on 4 or 5 wooded acres with a stream going through it. That's when I'm most calm, out in nature.
@TigerRidge2019
How you described it honestly sounds amazing! Best of luck with it.
@Imogene
Depression to me means that life is 'desaturated', and that your stuck somewhere no one wants to be. Sadness to me is when something happens and you get upset, it is temporary. Mental illness to me means that it is something that fights against you, and yet no one can see that you are struggling because its invisable. Mental health to me means that everyone should keep care of themselves <3
@BeeboIsQueen
I love how there's an undertone of hope in your post! Thank you for sharing your definitions, and I hope it gets better for you.
@Imogene
Thanks! :)
It is the sinking overwhelming in ability to see beyond the pain. A desperate longing for some kind of normalcy. Clawing out of a deep dark hole, but never making it off the ground.
@practicalIdeal2007
I really, really love the use of metaphorical language here! I think the way you've described it makes it really visual and easier for people to understand. Thank you!
What do 'depression', 'sadness', 'pain', 'mental illness' and 'mental health' mean to you?
Depression is when you are sad but mental illness is when you are suffering and it is affecting your life for a longer period of time. Like... let's say your pet dies, you are going to feel depressed, you are going to feel pain, you are going to feel sadness but it's not going to last forever. Mental illness has the potential of lasting either a long time or forever. Pain is when you feel hurt, either physically, mentally or both.
Mental health is hard for me to explain. It's basically not physical health but thinking positive thoughts or thinking negative and "unhealthy" thoughts. It's light versus dark, too.
@AbejaReina
Oh, I like the comparison you made and the example you gave (though I wouldn't like it if a pet died - I'm sorry, I hope this doesn't come across wrongly). Mental illnesses can definitely last a long time and I like how you pointed out mental pain exists! And ooh, I love the imagery for mental health.
Depression for me is like feeling stuck in a hole and not able to climb out of it or the hole just keeps digging deeper. Recovery and mental health is like finding the tools to help you build a ladder to get out of the hole
@summertimeSamness
I love the imagery! It sounds like depression makes things tough for you, though. I know recovery and moving on isn't easy, but hope you manage to achieve them <3
For me its like my arms and legs are made of concrete and I'm trying to walk through mud up to my chest. Its seeing people and being with them but feeling completely and utterly alone. Its being talked to but it sounds far away. Very much a trapped feeling.
@AerialJackfruit
Oh gosh, it does definitely feel like a trapped feeling! I like your use of examples. Thanks for sharing!