I need to make some things clear. You hear me use the word “depression” a lot. However, remember that depression has to meet certain criteria to be called depression.
I’ve often shared with you when I’ve had some bad days. But that’s all they’ve been, bad days. I’ve struggled with depression in the past so much so that I’ve learned to differentiate between bad days and depression. They are two very different things.
The word “depression” is used all too easily these days. We diminish a serious condition that many people battle with when we claim to “being depressed” when what we really are is just “down”.
Besides, we all know that we’re not on top of the world every day. We don’t feel great every day. We don’t feel inspired, energetic, a ball of fire every day. If you do, I’m happy for you and I would love to know your secret. Anyone I’ve ever known who seems to be in a great mood every day almost always is dishonest with themselves. Life just isn’t like that.
There is a huge difference between feeling blue for a few days and experiencing full-blown clinical depression.
Words make a difference in how we differentiate between our moods.
I mean we can be anywhere from
“sad”
“down”
“frustrated”
“bored”
“out-0f-sorts”
“anxious”
“hurt”
“not feeling well”
and still not be truly depressed. While these may all exist within the scope of depression, on their own they do not meet the parameters for a diagnosis of depression.
The words we use to describe our feelings must be accurate. I say I’m feeling a little “down” or if it goes on for a few days I will say I’m going through a “rough patch”. I know what it feels like to be clinically depressed (meaning needing some outside intervention) so when I’ve been anxious, fearful, worried, or in a low mood, I do not call it depression.
If you are reading this blog and you are going through depression now, take hope.
Depression is a totally treatable and manageable illness.
The words we use have a powerful impact on us and our mental well-being.
We hear ourselves speak, the words enter our mind and they reinforce how we’re feeling. So for today, try not to refer to yourself as depressed. Think of a different word to describe your moods, maybe from my list above.
This doesn’t mean you deny your feelings but when depression has been a problem in the past, it’s easy to jump to that conclusion.
God bless and have a good day.
