How do you feel when people confuse bad mood and sadness with clinical depression?

Question

Every now and then you hear, I'm depressed, I am down, I've been so depressed lately...etc. If you have clinical depression you will know what I mean.

Thank you for answering my question. I didn't mean to be judgemental in any way.
Ivana, if I could answer my own question I would do it with your words, I also had the same conditions and I wouldn't wish to go through this to my worst enemy.
I wish a happy and healthy new year to you all.

Answer 1

I think the first person who answered your question completely misinterpreted what you wrote :)

How do I feel? Well, I am currently recovering from four and a half years of severe post-natal depression, bordering on psychosis, with an underlying acute anxiety disorder with a tendency to apocolyptic panic attacks. Ta da!
I used to think: I dare anyone to tell me I'm faking it, using it as an excuse, making it up. I used to hope like hell someone would tell me to "Get over it", or "For God's sake, smile!", so I could smack them in the head.
I used to get very angry, very defensive, very suicidal, very everything you can think of.
Now, though (and this has only happened in the past couple of weeks) I have accepted that the only people who understand are the ones who've been there, and it's pretty much pointless trying to explain it to anyone else. They just can't understand, whether they want to or not.
I am so close to being better now that I'm getting really excited, and once I've got myself completely back on track, I'll be focusing all of my spare time and energy on helping others get the help they need to get better.

Answer 2

I think there is a big difference between clinical depression and 'bad mood' days.
I feel for those who suffer with clinical depression. It is a recognised and serious illness but unfortunately, alot of people dont go to see their GP in fear of judgement or because they dont want to bother others with their problems. Anyone who suffers with regular bouts of sadness or has suicidal thoughts should go see their GP who can help with this by the use of prescribed SSRIs. Although antidepressants are useful, they should be used only as a short term solution. I think it is best in the long term, that people seek help from a trained councellor to understand why they feel the way they do and get to the root of the problem.

Answer 3

I have been suffering from post partum depression for the past one year when I gave birth to a baby boy. I couldn't stop thinking about how my husband loves him more than me and how things might be better if he wasn't born at all. Thus, I stayed away from him because I knew that I might do something I will regret for the rest of my life.

Almost instantly I went to a therapist and convince them that I need help. Among other things, I've tried herbal supplements and other book to treat depression but nothing works like the Depression Free Method. So now I'm proud to say I'm one of the happiest mother in the world. My husband loves us both very much and I thank the Lord for the blessing he gave us.

Depression Free Method?

Answer 4

There is a line in a song by the band Everclear that goes "simple minds just can not seem to understand, you are neurotic and depressed, it doesn't mean that you are sad". That about sums it up for me. I don't like having to "defend" my clinical major depressive episodes just because other people can't grasp that it's a real thing and not just feeling sad. It's so much bigger and all consuming and I think the word depression minimizes it a lot.
Nothing puts me more on the defensive than somebody saying "just get over it".

Answer 5

How do I feel? I had clinical depression in combination with panic attacks, and I can say that bad mood is "HEAVEN" regarding to depression. That is something that I would never wish to anyone, neither to my worst enemy! People usually don't know what is the feeling when you want to cry for example, but you can't, or when you are so afraid for your life, that you feel that is better to kill yourself rather than standing that condition anymore. And, yes... you must take the therapy, because if you don't, you can only make the situation worse than it is...
That's why I feel sad when people say that they are depressed, because, believe me... they don't know what they are talking about...

Answer 6

I think it's why I don't have any friends. I have bipolar and severe panic attacks...and it makes me a little unsympathetic to others who are having a "bad" day. I try to not judge because since they don't have the same depth of lows that I do means that what they're feeling does seem to be a truly awful thing but sometimes I just want to say that they need to just keep moving. If I can then they can right? It's the same with people who have cancer and then some one whines to them about having a bit of a cold. You of course want to be nice to them because their pain is just as valid but on the other hand you want to smack them upside the head with something very solid.

DISCLAIMER: Not saying cancer and depression are equally bad. Was just trying to make an analogy.

Answer 7

Like when a person wants to blow three or four cars off the highway during a traffic jam compared to loading your shot gun and sticking it in your mouth while you are watching the View? What I don't like about depression is that it can be used as an excuse, so your life is a mess so is 98% of the rest of the planet, nobody gives a dam so take your punishment. A good toning should work out the sympathy. No whining please.

Answer 8

I know what you mean. Major depression is not simply feeling down and depressed. It lingers and deepens and you have other symptoms like significant changes in sleep, appetite and energy levels. All of us feel sad and down sometimes but this is different from an actual depressive illness.

Answer 9

One needs to be able to discern the shallow pool from whence they came and try to garner as much "good intention" as one can. Then, move on. One can only get honest and helpful feedback from a trained therapist, no matter how loving the friend.

Answer 10

I think it's none of your business what someone else is feeling...and how would you have the slightest idea if someone was just saying their depressed when they're really in just a "bad mood"? I think this question is irrelevent and you should try not to be so judgemental.