Do I have the right to feel depressed even if I'm privileged?
312 Answers
Last Updated: 03/15/2022 at 12:22am
Moderated by
Danielle Gonzales, PsyD
Psychologist
Hello! My name is Dani, I am a Psychologist and registered Psych Assistant. I have a passion for helping a different types of clients from all diverse backgrounds!
Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
December 8th, 2017 12:09am
Depression Isn't Justca feeling, It's a mental Illnesss, Anyone can feel depression, and have the right to feel It, Just like anyone could contract a flu
Yes you do. Anyone can suffer from depression regardless of their social, economic or cultural background
Depression is a psychological problem that affects the mental health. And suffering from mental breakdowns is not about the so called privileged or not, since we all suffer from our own life tensions in a way or another. So to sum it up you have the right to be depressed but what's important is for you to seek help.
Of course you do! Being depressed isn't something that only effects poor/underprivileged people. Depression effects people in all walks of life.
I do have the right to feel depressed, even if I do have more things than others - emotions and situations are completely different compared to someone else. I shouldn't feel guilty about having emotions.
yes because even privileged has there own set of issues. being privileged doesn't mean being exempt from human emotions.
Anonymous
December 9th, 2017 6:37pm
Yes, everyone can feel depressed at some point in their lives. No one is perfect and therefore there doesn't have to be a particular stereotype of people who are allowed to be depressed - there is always a point in our lives where we will feel depressed. You are not alone!
Anonymous
December 20th, 2017 5:39am
Yes. Being depressed does not come from your economic state in life. All of us have mental health to take care of, meaning we may all experience depression.
Yes! Everybody has the right to feel anything they feel, including depressed. Some of the most successful and privileged people in the world have felt depression or have mental illness. Depression does not discriminate and if you fee that way please reach out to us and we will help you as best we can :)
Privilege =/= the right to be depressed. Anybody can be depressed, it isn't something that occurs despite having privilege or not. It's a mental illness, something you can't control if it happens or not. Try and find help if you can :)
Of course! Your emotions do not care about your status or your wealth, and in 2017 at least, rich people do not have any difference in their brains than people who aren't privileged. It's important to be aware of your privilege, but it's equally as important to take care of yourself.
Yes, a lot of people know they have a 'good life' but are depressed, then they feel guilty about it, and suddely they feel even worse. What people should distinguish is the environment and the emotional well-being, those are seperate things.
Everyone gets down from time to time. You shouldn't feel guilty because you have a good life, depression is a mental disorder, privileges have nothing to do with it, don't worry.
Anonymous
January 4th, 2018 8:06pm
Of course you do. Depression doesn't care if you're cis, white, male, or privileged in any other way. You have the right to feel any way you do. Being privileged can buy many things but happiness is not one of them. You shouldn't feel guilty or ashamed for this, you're a human being with feelings just like everyone else.
Yes, depression does not belong to one person, or group. In fact depression may affect as many as 1 in 3 people. Each person is valid in their feelings and should not be ashamed of them or ignore them.
You should not feel like you aren't allowed to be depressed, or allowed to talk to people and reach out to them regarding it, you have a right to be depressed but more importantly you have a right to be heard, and a right to feel better again in the future.
Yesyesyes! I've struggled with thoughts like this myself, and it's not fun, but you have to remind yourself that depression doesn't pick and choose who it affects. Your status in no way discredits your emotions, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Anonymous
January 10th, 2018 3:50am
You always have the right to feel depressed no matter what the situation is and the day it is and even if your privileged because sometimes you just need to let it out because of the tensions that's held against you at times.
Of course! Your feelings are valid. Brain chemistry does not care about your social status. You can be affected by depression no matter where you come from.
Anonymous
January 10th, 2018 8:40am
Anyone can feel depressed despite their personal aspects. There are no rules that say depression cannot affect people with certain things.
Anonymous
January 11th, 2018 2:39am
Well there are a number or reasons that can make one reach depression, and if you observe at any celebrity example, material things or status aren't a guaranty of anything, because depression comes from the inside, not the outside. Sounds kind of obvious, but maybe it isn't, of course the outside can affect the inside, but to solve things from the inside you the only ones that can help you are people, not money, not fame, etc. Hope it helps.
Absolutely. Depression has nothing to do with privilege. A lot of the time it is the brains chemicals. You cannot control that.
Of course, depression does not deppend only on privileges, sometimes there is not even an apparent cause.
Everyone has the right to feel depressed. Mental illness does not only happen to certain types of individuals. There are factors of mental illness, such as genetics, which does not have any affect on privilege. If you have had the chance to be diagnosed by a professional, you definitely do not need to have any "permission" to have depression. Also, remember that someone can be privileged in one thing but not in others.
Yes. If others are going through things which are much worse it does not mean you can't be depressed. If you are privileged, try to use it to your advantage in battling the feeling. You do have the right to feel depressed, but you don't have the right to stay depressed and not work towards feeling better.
Every person has feelings, no matter their status in life. So yes, you do have the right to feel depressed. It is not something you can control.
YES. Having a privileged life doesn't immunise you from depression; it can affect anybody, of any race, gender, or social class. It's extremely easy to feel guilty for feeling depressed, when you have good friends and family, a roof over your head, good grades, nice clothes etc. It's also easy to feel frustrated at yourself for not having a "reason" to feel depressed, but you must realise that depression is an imbalance of chemicals in your brain, nothing more. Life events can cause it of course, but they're not the only cause. To those reading this: your depression is valid, your feelings are valid, and you don't need to feel guilty. I hope you feel brighter soon. x
Yes you do, being privileged does not cohead with depression. Considering I am both! Depression can come from many different things, like abuse, bullying, feeling abandoned, lost of a loved one, and change.
Anonymous
January 25th, 2018 4:32pm
Of course. Anyone can feel depressed for any number of reasons. Just because you are privileged doesn’t mean that you can’t have issues in your life. You may not be depressed for the same reasons as someone who is less privileged but that does not make your feelings any less important.
I have thought about this many times in my life, from personal experience I have come to realize everyone struggles in their own way. Many times very different ways. You have the right to your own feelings :) Your social class may not say anything about your mental well being.
Of course! Depression is not based on where we live or what we were given in life. Many of the world's most successful people suffered from depression. Depression is something that comes from within, not from the environment you live in. If you feel depressed but nothing is inherently wrong, it may be time to see a therapist. A therapist can help you identify where these feelings are coming from and get you on the right path to feeling better. Don't ever feel like your feelings aren't valid!
Related Questions: Do I have the right to feel depressed even if I'm privileged?
What do you do when you have no passion or drive?My anxiety is getting worse and depression won't let me live my life, how do I overcome this?I feel sad a lot, unmotivated, and I often can't stop crying for many hours. But I sleep and eat decently and I also can smile or laugh sometimes. Am I depressed or just sad?How to get things done professionaly at work when I'm very depressed?How do I keep myself from getting to attached to people?I am struggling with codependency and depression. I cannot afford therapy. What can I do to get help?How do I help explain to a parent that what I feel is valid after they reacted badly?How can I open up to people more even if it scares me?How to deal with depression fallout?Why do I hate myself so much?