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Do I have the right to feel depressed even if I'm privileged?

312 Answers
Last Updated: 03/15/2022 at 12:22am
Do I have the right to feel depressed even if I'm privileged?
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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
delightfulOasis62
June 30th, 2016 8:13am
Of course ! We all are humans, and humans have feelings. Depression is a big mix of a lot of emotions, and being privileged doesn't make your emotions less worthy. No problems aren't important..
Anonymous
July 2nd, 2016 10:49pm
Yes. Depression is an illness, and privileged people can still get sick.
omica
July 2nd, 2016 11:58pm
Yes, of course, anyone can feel depressed for their own personal reasons. Being depressed is not designed only for lower people.
Anonymous
July 3rd, 2016 10:29pm
Yes, you have. Feeling and emotions are different for anybody so they might suffer from things other persons would not even care about, because everybody has different views on things and struggles. Just because you have it better than other people you are still allowed to be sad.
Anonymous - Expert in Depression
July 5th, 2016 3:13am
No matter how many things you have, or how privileged you are - you will always come across a low point in your life. You have every right to feel depressed, your income or your material items should not determine your emotional rights.
Pandette
July 7th, 2016 3:59am
Depression can hit anyone at any point in their lives, if they are privileged or if they are not. Don't ever think that you are not allowed to feel depressed no matter the situation. Certain circumstances or chemical imbalances can lead to the occurrence of depression. If you feel like you are depressed, please seek help and know that we are here to help as well.
smolbirb
July 9th, 2016 1:46am
Yes you can. Depression can be caused by all sorts of reasons. If your privileged, poor, in the middle, or anything, any person some all sorts of backgrounds can have distressing emotions that can cause depression. .
Nothere1
June 7th, 2017 7:19am
Of course you do. Having depression isn't a way of life that anyone chooses to have, and just because you are entitled doesn't mean you have to suffer.
Anonymous
August 11th, 2017 12:11am
Yes, privilege has no correlation with depression. Never let anyone tell you that you cant be depressed solely of your financial situation, race, gender, or sexual orientation. Your emotions are always valid,
lovelyGrace34
April 12th, 2017 9:29pm
Mental illnesses are valid, and they don't pick people based on their privilege, race, gender, religion, or otherwise. All of the aforementioned things are irrelevant to mental illnesses. Some people are afraid to tell anyone about their depression because other people have it worse. It’s true that whatever you may be going through, someone out there is going through something worse, but don’t confuse feeling bad with not being grateful. Recovery is possible, not matter the amount of privileges you have or don't have.
ListeningForHope
April 14th, 2017 1:26am
Depression isn't something that cares about race, gender, pronoun preference, sexual orientation, social class, or anything else that can classify someone in some way. Depression is a constant sadness that, unfortunately, happens to a lot of people no matter who they are. I'm so incredibly sorry that you have depression, and it's an awful feeling to have and I'm so sorry that you have to deal with it. Just remember than no one person or group of people control who gets to have depression of not. You have every right to feel depressed just as you have every right to get help and feel better and eventually overcome your situation. Thank you for reaching out to us about your question, and I hope I have clarified some of the confusion. We at 7 cups want to make sure that you are getting helped, as well. Please feel free to talk to any one of us listeners. Our members/guests mean the whole world to us and we all want you to feel safe and happy and loved. We care and we're here for you. Take care. xoxo
quietshell
April 16th, 2017 9:54pm
You have every right to be. Just to be. So if you're depressed, you have the right to have feelings just with the simple reason that you have these feelings. They are true and they exist, don't let anyone tell you what you can and cannot feel. I have the same problem, when I say that I'm sad, they will always bring up the fact that I should be grateful for my life while other kids in Syria are bombarded everyday and whose family and lives are killed. And I know, I can't even imagine what it must be like to be in that situation because I'm not in that situation, and if I would compare my feelings to that example every time I feel them, I could never be a human being. People in different situations have different feelings, different types of sadnesses and depressions. You have problems and they may seem insignificant next to that example but then again, I ask myself: "Then why does it hurts so much?" Because, you're feeling them, see? You're feelings are right there and while depression is horrible and I've been through it, what is more horrible is telling someone that they shouldn't feel a certain way and that they should swallow their feelings and act like grateful and happy people in their privileged lives. But why? So that those feelings can rot inside me and eat me? Don't do that to yourself. Overcoming depression is very hard and living it too, but ignoring it or feeling bad for feeling bad is worse. Feel what you feel and don't be ashamed of it.
neverendingWatermelon92
April 23rd, 2017 11:22am
Depression affects people from all walks of life. I suggest talking to a trusted friend or family member, or your doctor. Or you can connect with a listener who can listen to you.
EIise
April 23rd, 2017 1:25pm
Yes, every single person have the right to feel happy, sad, angry or depressed. You privileged situation doesn't change anything to that. Many things lead to depression, but money definitly doesn't cure it. Don't feel guilty or whatever because you think you can't be depressed. You can and if you are, it's ok ♥ Take care :)
Anonymous
April 23rd, 2017 11:23pm
There are happy privileged people and happy unprivileged people. There can also be depressed people from every side. Being privileged (whatever that might mean to you) does not mean you are immune from every bad thing in the world, just like if you are unprivileged does not mean you cannot feel happy.
freshbanana
November 2nd, 2016 4:57pm
It isn't about having the right to feel depressed. Does someone have the right to get a broken bone? Depression has this big stigma around it, but it is an illness you really can't help getting. Anybody can have periods of depression, and there is really no need to feel guilty about having those feelings.
grintaehyung
May 14th, 2017 7:29am
You have the right to feel depressed even if you're privileged. It's a matter of our mind-set. Maybe you've gone to a stressful matter even though you're privileged.
Neverend1ngLake
May 14th, 2017 9:25pm
We all have the right to feel any feeling, and we don't have to apologize to anyone for it. However, depression is a clinical diagnosis, not a sign of weakness; it is a disorder of the neurotransmitters in our brain and should be managed by a doctor. If you think you are depressed, seek help from a professional. It will improve your life a lot!
Anonymous
May 19th, 2017 5:48pm
Every feeling is allowed to be felt, no matter who you are and where you are from. Money and social class can't buy happiness. Don't feel bad about feeling depressed whoever you are and whatever your position is, the only thing that matters is to take care of yourself
ChinaRose
July 23rd, 2017 5:35pm
Depression will visit anybody, it doesn't matter whether they're privileged or not. Cancer doesn't care who it goes to, neither does the common cold. Depression/mental illness is no different. The stigma attached to mental illness tells us that only certain people can get depression, or that it's not even a real illness. By opening up and talking about it, we're hoping to destroy that stigma, and let people know that it's more common that people realize, and that there IS hope and help out there to manage depression and other mental illnesses. If you feel like you're depressed, don't keep it hidden away just because you're "privileged" - there's help for you.
Anonymous
July 8th, 2017 2:30am
Yes, you do. Your feelings are valid. Depression can be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Depression is not selective, and anyone can suffer from it.
jovialBeauty03
July 7th, 2017 4:01pm
Yes! It is okay to be sad or depressed even if you are privileged. No matter what situation your life may be in there are times that people feel sad or down. As long as you are able to pull yourself out of it sooner than later, no problem. Be careful, if you do not believe you can get out of the depression rut, then please seek professional help, it is not bad to ask for some help.
Anonymous
July 9th, 2017 8:08pm
Everyone has the right to feel depressed no matter how privileged one is, everyone of us have problems to address and sometimes life hits us harder than we expect , being privileged doesnt take away that
Anonymous
July 13th, 2017 10:02am
Of course you do! Depression can come from almost anything, privileged or not. Depression is not a right and it can emerge in anyone from any walks of life.
Anonymous
July 15th, 2017 7:42pm
You have to remember that depression is not something that is determined by your lifestyle! People of any race, sexuality, gender, and ethnicity can experience depression.
joyousNatural19
July 5th, 2017 5:05am
Of course you do. Depression doesn't single out people that aren't privileged, it can impact anyone anywhere. If you feel depressed then that feeling is completely valid.
Anonymous
July 16th, 2017 8:49am
Anybody could feel depressed. Whether they are underprivileged or have lots of money. You have the right
Anonymous
July 5th, 2017 4:12am
You absolutely have the right to feel depressed if you are privileged. Depression does not pick and choose it's victims. Just because your situation is better, does not mean that you do not have the right to feel depressed.
Anonymous
August 10th, 2017 6:33am
We cannot always choose what we feel! Of course you do and you are a great person !
ingeniousPeace79
August 9th, 2017 4:46pm
it's like saying do i have the right to die, even if i'm dressed in white? it doesn't matter what "privileges" you have depression is a state, a feeling resulted from an interpretation of what's around you intepretation based on your current beliefs changing the beliefs => interpretation changes => feeling changes doesnt matter if you are rich or poor a happy person nourishes everyone