Since the age of 17, I have seen an influx of teens self-diagnosing & mistaking the difference between depression and a common human emotion – sadness. More than just often, it has become a norm for most people to use this terms wrongfully on social media.
Buckle up, time for some education. Depression, defined by the Mayo Clinic is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.
Sadness, on the other hand is defined as emotional pain. In simpler words, depression is extreme sadness. Depression is often said to be caused by chemical imbalance in the brain. Depression is a soul sucking, crippling disease that destroys people from the inside out.
It is not cool to jump into the ” depression bandwagon ” on social media and self-harm for aesthetic purposes. When did it become acceptable to hurt yourself to fit in with the cool kids? When did it take being diagnosed with an illness to feel wanted? I’m so sorry I’m late to the party, but hey, when did being depressed become a trend? All of these only enhances the stigma surrounding mental illnesses. That it is fake, that it is ” attention seeking “. I urge you to look before you leap.
I know you want to connect with others who may actually be depressed. But you do not have to feel the same way as someone else does in order to be friends. You should not have to feed your mind with suicidal thoughts just so you can tell your best friend that you understand the way she feels. You are allowed to be there for people even if you don’t completely understand what they’re going through, it is okay.
I cannot stress enough, how important it is to realize that being funny and being rude are two distinct things. Using an illness that physically and mentally destructs humans and feeds on their will to live, isn’t a joke. It may seem like it isn’t a big deal to you, but every word you say be it in your daily conversations or social media may draw another person one step closer to suicide. Be careful what you choose to say, when you say it – and who you say it to. Look, before you leap.
” Dude, I failed my exams by 2 marks I’m SO depressed. “
” My favorite bagels ran out today, I’m SO depressed. “
” I can’t find my shoes, I’m SO depressed. “
News flash: You are not. You are disappointed, you are upset. You’ve been let down, you’re annoyed. What you feel are natural human emotions, not depression.
Depression was me locking myself in the house for weeks at a time. Depression was me, at the age of 19; being so certain that death was out for me. Depression was me screaming at the God who made me for me, at 2 in the morning because the demons inside of my head just didn’t know how to keep quiet. Depression was my legs dangling down the edge of my apartment, and depression was the anti-depressants that made me lose all my sense of identity and belonging.
Sadness was me when my boyfriend and I ended our relationship, sadness was me not achieving the grades that I worked so hard to achieve. Sadness was me dropping my iPhone on the floor and watch the screen shatter. Sadness was looking at my favorite eyeshadow palette fall on the floor and crack into pieces, sadness was driving thru McDonald’s and realizing that they’ve stopped selling my favorite McValue meal.
There is a very fine line between depression and sadness, learn how to not cross it before it’s is too late – the experience is something I’d never wish upon my worst enemy.
Hello there! Loshni by birth, Losh by the public and Joe by choice. Absolutely convinced that writing is what I was born to do, an avid reader and a Harry Potter and Game of Thrones enthusiast. Traveling is the ultimate dream. Qualified with self-proclaimed PhD in procrastination. I could survive on cheese naan and iced Milo-O, no joke.
We want to hear your story. Become a Relate contributor here
