Most of us have felt down at some point, but for people living with depression, the words they choose often reveal how deeply their pain runs.
Here are some words and phrases commonly used by people with depression — and what they might mean.
Depression statistics
Over 300 million people worldwide are estimated to suffer from depression, and WHO data shows that the numbers jumped by more than 20 % between 1999 and 2014.
This emphasizes just how widespread and serious this mental health challenge is.
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Timeframes matter
It’s not only the words themselves, but how often and how long they’re used that reveals how deep the depression runs.
Persistent use of these words can be a clear sign someone needs more support.
Signs of depression
Besides language, other signs include persistent sadness, irritability, trouble concentrating, sleep and eating problems, and suicidal thoughts.
Word choice is just one piece of the puzzle.
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Never
People with depression often say never to express that they have no hope for the future.
Phrases like "good things never happen to me" show deep pessimism and a feeling of not deserving anything good in life.
Always
On the flip side, the word always is used frequently too.
When a depressed person says, "I always get disappointed" or "bad things always happen to me", it reflects a belief that things will never change.
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Completely
Words like completely are typical absolutist words.
Depressed people often see situations in black and white, and completely is used to emphasize how hopeless or overwhelming a situation feels to them.
Me
The word me comes up a lot because people with depression often struggle to see beyond their own situation.
They feel trapped inside their problems and have trouble connecting to the world outside.
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I and myself
Pronouns like I and myself appear more often because depression is often linked to self-focus — not in an egotistical way, but as an inward spiral that makes it hard to build connections with others.
Negative descriptions
Words like lonely, sad, and miserable are common in depressive speech.
They use negative words to describe themselves, their feelings, and their situations.
Worthless
Feeling worthless is a hallmark of depression. Many people struggling with it use words like worthless when talking about themselves.
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This shows how low their self-esteem is and how little they feel they have to offer others.
This article is based on information from Theheartysoul.com.