3 ms·

The need for a different word comes from a bit of linguistic trickery we tend to perform. Because we tend to think of people with "depression" as being "depres

The need for a different word comes from a bit of linguistic trickery we tend to perform. Because we tend to think of people with "depression" as being "depressed", we are apt to ask questions, like, "What do you have depression about?" This question makes no more sense than "What do you have cancer about?" (thanks to Stephen Fry for the comparison) but because it does make sense to ask, "What are you depressed about?" it can be difficult to explain this to people. Physiologically, it isn't at all clear that "depression" and "being depressed" are species of the same genus. The latter is a transient, perfectly healthy, emotional state. The former is a persistent, unhealthy neuro-physical state. So having less similar words for things of a different kind that are often confused would be a good thing.

HCIdivision17 12y ago
Just for those curious about the Fry quote, I think it might originate from his blog, himself quoting Alastair Campbell. At the very least there's a nice reference to it, and I'm happily crawling along the links enjoying it. http://www.stephenfry.com/2013/06/24/only-the-lonely/ http://www.stephenfry.com/2013/06/24/only-the-lonely/ http://www.alastaircampbell.org/blog/2013/06/10/response-to-stephen-fry-suicide-interview-shows-attitudes-are-slowly-changing/ http://www.alastaircampbell.org/blog/2013/06/10/response-to-...
andrewflnr 12y ago
In short, it's a difference in kind, not degree, and that 100% merits a different word. I propose we just say we're "feeling down" to describe "situational depression".