Do I have the right to feel depressed even if I'm privileged?
312 Answers
Last Updated: 03/15/2022 at 12:22am
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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
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.
Yes, depression isn't a social construct designed for the poor, or underprivileged, depression can be felt by everyone, regardless of social stature.
Yes, being privileged does not mean you automatically have good mental health. Chat with us, we help!
Yes. Being depressed and experiencing depression is not something limited to those experiencing social prejudice or injustice. Everyone experiences some form of depression or negativity in their lives regardless of their social standing or privilege.
Anonymous
November 3rd, 2016 8:37pm
Yes. Depression doesn't discriminate when it comes to who has to go through it. You can't opt out of it.
Most definitely. Everyone experiences depression even if you are more privileged than others. It can affect anyone.
Everyone has a right to their own feelings. Depressed or otherwise. No matter the situation you will always have a feeling. Privileged does not matter.
Anonymous
November 11th, 2016 6:11am
Yes, being privileged doesn't take away your rights from feeling depressed and mental illness. You are allowed to feel bad and down no matter who you are
Everyone can feel depressed. Even the richest or most privileged and educated person on the planet. Depression doesn't discriminate. There is a huge stigma against people with depression but there is no shame in having depression and just because you're privileged doesn't mean you are less likely to suffer from a mental health issue than anyone else. Don't let anyone tell you that you aren't allowed to feel depressed just because you might have it better than someone else. There is always going to be someone who has it better and that doesn't diminish anyone elses suffering. Your feelings are still valid and real no matter what walk in life you come from.
Anonymous
November 13th, 2016 4:11am
You always "have the right" to be depressed. You don't have to have a reason. The richest people can be the unhappiest. People who've got everything they could possibly want can be unhappy.
Absolutely. Depression is not a measurement of happiness, or rather unhappiness, but an imbalance of seratonin in the brain. We all have a right to feel and experience anything our body decides to put us through
No one "chooses" to be depressed. It's perfectly alright to feel whatever you feel and go through whatever you go through, no matter where you're from. Stay strong :)
No matter how great your life is, depression isn't about the circumstances you're in, but the way you feel about them. You can have the most amazing life, with lovely family and awesome friends, but still feel terrible all the time. You always have the right to feel whatever you want, because it's your life and your mind. I hope this helps. Never feel ashamed or guilty of your depression.
Anonymous
December 9th, 2016 5:31pm
Yes. Just because you live with both your parents, or have a great home, enough food, many friends or other privileges don´t mean you have to be happy all the time. Anybody can suffer from depression, and everybody deserves to get help.
absolutely! Feelings and logic do not often speak the same language. Everyone, (regardless of their age, race, income, gender, or religion) has a range of experiences and feelings in their life. Being privleged may offer you more resources and support to help with these depressed feelings, but it does not mean your feelings are any less valid.
of course you do. depression is not a choice. it doesn't matter if you have everything. everyone is different
Yes! You have every right to feel depressed even if your privileged. Yes, there are people who are less privileged than you and they go through alot and struggle so much but just because Yu haven't had to live in the circumstances that they have doesn't mean you can't suffer the same. We all go through different struggles, you shouldn't feel like you can't be sad because you have more than someone else. Depression hits everyone at some point in there life and you shouldnt hide the fact that your sad but you should express it and find someone who you can talk to.
Yes you do,anyone can be affected by depression, depression is not based on what we have or what we do its about your feelings and emotions.
Anonymous
February 3rd, 2017 11:05pm
Depression knows no socio-economic boundries. People from all walks of life have fears and worries that are difficult to deal with.
Yes, you do. Depression doesn't care about age, gender, privileges... it's an illness, it can come regardless of your situation. Don't feel bad about feeling depressed even though you're privileged. You can't help it.
Of course you do. Depression can occur in anyone's life. If doesn't matter how great or bad your life may be. Depression isn't built on your living conditions or necessarily the quality of your life it is something deeper, it could be a past of bullying or it could simply be that depression is in your family.
Anonymous
February 25th, 2017 2:25am
Yes of course. We all feel depressed and stuck at some point. No matter who you are, or where you are in life. It's bound to happen, and it's completely normal.
Anonymous
February 26th, 2017 1:40am
Everybody has the right to feel depressed, but nobody deserves to be depressed. Depression is a mental disease that cannot be prevented by privilege.
Anonymous
March 1st, 2017 9:43pm
Feeling depressed isn't something people have the right to feel or not feel any more than anyone has the right to get cancer or not get cancer. You don't choose to feel depressed and it can happen to anybody, and feeling bad about being depressed can actually be caused by the depression itself.
Depression could happen to anybody, even to people who seem to have a "perfect life". Medically; it's something that's happening in your brain, so it would be hard to prevent yourself from it, even when you feel like you're "privileged". And in the end we're all human and we all have emotions and everybody deserves to have emotions and to feel them.
Of course you do. Everyone on earth has that right, even the richest man in the world. Depression is not always based on how your life is going, or how privileged you are. Your life doesn't have to be falling apart for you to have a valid reason to be upset.
Anonymous
March 19th, 2017 12:48am
Depression has nothing to do woth privilege. On the contrary, privileged poeple are more depressed than others. Because there's a concept made by society that if you've everything you need, you can't get depressed. Privileged people are not 'allowed' to be depressed because they don't have to worry about anything. But in reality, they do. Just like everyone else, they've problems. They just have to put a happy face and smile through it because nobody will understand.
You've every right to be depressed. I'm not saying depression is a good thing. I pray no one has to go through it. It's one of the most horrible things that can happen to a person.
Just stay strong and you'll get over it.
Just like how cancer does not choose whether it afflicts the rich or poor; Just like how young and old can be stricken with Malaria; Just like the Black Plague who honestly didn't give a hoot about anything... You did not choose to feel depressed didn't you? Of course not! That is why rather than asking if you have the right to be depressed, know that you have the right to be supported, helped, and treated.
Anonymous
April 1st, 2017 8:28am
I do believe so. I've come to understand from experience that economic and social privilege does not guarantee a healthy state of mind. And a lot of times, depression may just be genetic.
Yes, because depression is a serious condition that has no boundaries. No matter your situation anyone can become depressed and should be taken seriously in all cases.
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