Do I have the right to feel depressed even if I'm privileged?

Yes you do. They are tricked into believing that they shouldn’t feel down because some people have it worse, but it doesn’t work and they can’t control the things that make them feel sad, they end up hating themselves because they feel like bad people. It’s true that whatever you may be going through, someone out there is going through something worse, but don’t confuse feeling bad with not being grateful. They are two complete different things that people associate with one another. Be grateful for what you have but know that feeling upset is absolutely fine, it’s something natural and never apologize or feel bad for the things that make you upset. 

No matter who you are or what you have been through, no human being in this world is immune to mental illness. Don't ever be ashamed of who you are or feel like you do not have the right to seek help. Everybody deserves the right to be healthy.

Absolutely! When I was 13 or so, I was extremely depressed. Unfortunately, my family wouldn't let me get the help I needed. My parents believed it was impossible for me to have any problems at all. The thing is, I was privileged as well. My parents were together, I had my own bedroom, and I had food. I had problems too. My mom was verbally abusive, I was friendless, and I had a bad relationship with my parents. I was depressed, I self harmed, and nobody understood how horrible I felt. Everytime I had a problem, my mom would say I was just feeling sorry for myself. I feel like a selfish, worthless human being who didn't deserve my life. (I could go into detail about some other things that happened to contribute to my depression, but I'd get a bit carried away.) Listen, No matter what you're going through, or how privileged you are, you have the right to feel depressed. And you also have the right to chat with me anytime. @alexisheretohelpyou2

No one needs "permission" to be depressed - if you have depression, then you are depressed. But to answer your question: yes, you do. Depression doesn't take privileges into account. Even if you're privileged in other ways, this is one way that you are not.

Yes you do! Just because you're privileged doesn't make you any different. You're still a human being with feelings.

Of course you do. Depression can affect anyone at all. Mental illness doesn't discriminate. If you feel depressed you should talk to your doctor about the signs and symptoms in order to find a solution. Good luck! All the best.

Feelings are never something one earns; they simply are. And feeling depressed is not a pleasant thing in the first place; the right NOT to feel depressed would be worth fighting for! It sounds as if either others, or you yourself in your self-talk, dismiss your negative feelings by pointing to positive things, and suggesting that it is somehow wrong to feel depressed so long as anyone else in the world has things worse in some way. But this is not a very sensible view; it almost seems uniquely reserved to feelings of depression. For instance, suppose you were very wealthy and you broke your arm; nobody would even consider suggesting that you "have no right" to a broken arm, or to the feeling of pain that accompanies it. Someone might say, "At least you can afford a doctor" or "Broken arm or not, you're still wealthy." Neither of these responses, however factually true they might be, strikes me as particularly helpful or empathetic. The same is true regarding depression. It may be easier to understand why someone in a less privileged position might feel depressed, but that seems far removed from the fact of feeling depressed despite that, and useful responses to it.

Of course you do. Everyone has their high and low points in life and being "privileged" doesn't change that. In fact, it's kinda irrelevant. I'm fully aware that word is often thrown around by people these days to win an argument or to further depress / upset so I would honestly suggest ignoring anyone who tries to call you 'privileged'.

Feelings aren't about rights, they are not good nor bad, they just are. You can not control a feeling more than you control a sneeze. If you feel deepressed, you feel depressed. You will have better success healing from your suspected depression by acknowleding it head-on rather than trying to second-guess or judge it.

Of course! Life is not easier because you are privileged, it is just different. Everyone has the right to feel and sometimes the way that we feel is not always good. You also have the right to express your feelings. If you are feeling depressed, talk about it. Everyone feels down sometimes and having someone to talk to can really help. Sometimes talking to strangers is easier, sometimes talking to someone that we care about is. Ultimately, it feels good to get it off our chests and to be honest with ourselves about what we are feeling.

Yes. Depression does not care if you are poor, it does not care if you are rich, it does not care if you are white, black, purple, orange, pink or live on the planet Mars. Depression is a flaw in our body Chemistry and that can happen to anyone from 90 year old people to little children. Money does not guarantee happiness and you have every right in the world to feel and experience what you are feeling.

Whether or not you are privileged in any way, it makes no difference to a persons mental health. A lot of people say "Money can'd buy happiness" and i think that they do have a valid point with that :)

Anyone can get depressed, just like anyone can catch a cold. You can be depressed no matter how much or little you have, and no matter who you are, you deserve to get help.

You absolutely have the right. Perhaps you are privileged, and sure, you may think that 'others have it worse off' and yes, maybe that's true, but that does not invalidate your own feelings. Perhaps others are worse off, but they are also living a different life than you. They have different situations and causes to their grief, just like you. You have a right to feel dissatisfied or depressed. You are a completely unique person, and your social standing doesn't change who you are, so why should it not entitle you to your own emotions? We are all affected by things in our own way. Even if you were born top of the world, with everything handed to you, you still would have the right to feel depressed. Everyone is privileged enough to have their own emotions validated.

Sweetie, everyone has the right to feel however they feel. If you feel you're suffering from depression, you should consider the help of a mental health professional. As for being privileged, I'm assuming this means nothing "went wrong" in your life; while this is really good and isn't something to be ashamed of, this suggests that your depression may simply be a chemical imbalance rather than a situational result. Best of luck to you in your progress to recovery!

Anyone can be depressed. Depression doesn't discriminate. It's alright to be depressed and you shouldn't feel ashamed that you are. Just because you're privileged, doesn't mean you can't get depressed.

Yes. Everyone feels some sort of depression. Even if you may have everything you ever wanted in the world, there are still things that will prevent you from being happy.

Of course ! We all are humans, and humans have feelings. Depression is a big mix of a lot of emotions, and being privileged doesn't make your emotions less worthy. No problems aren't important..

From personal experience, I believe yes because although you may not be facing the same trouble as someone less privileged, you may have other worries, other things that get to you. Depression is an illness that can be cured. People don't believe privileged people don't break bones so why would you believe they can't get depressed? It's like the saying 'money can't buy you happiness' and it can't cure depression either, in my opinion anyway.

In a way, we are all privileged. If you're on this site, that means you have access to electricity, the Internet, and money. Many people around the world don't have that luxury. However... That does not mean you don't have the right to feel depressed. Depression is not a right. It's a mental illness, it is something that can sometimes overwhelm you. It is not a choice. You have a computer. You have food, money, and water. You have problems. Fears. Realities that can scare you into doing things you never imagined you would do. Challenges that you try to face and fight, while others can underestimate its severity. There will always be someone in this world who isn't as privileged. That doesn't mean your problems don't matter and your depression isn't "right"

Yes! Absolutely and 100 % yes! I struggled with these thoughts SO much: "But my life is GOOD, why do I feel so shitty?", "I don't deserve to get help, others are MUCH worse off than I am!", "I don't have any reason to be depressed!" ect. But the truth is, that is our depression talking. That nasty negative voice that is present everywhere, it's not true! You can TOTALLY feel depressed even if you're privileged, just like you can unfortunately get cancer even if you're privileged. And both things deserve to be treated with as much seriousness as they demand. You DO have every right to feel depressed, and you DO have every right to get help!

Being privileged doesn't necessarily meant that you will be happy all the time. Mental illness is something that no one is immune from regardless of your background.

Of course you do. We can't choose how we feel, so we certainly shouldn't feel guilty about it. Depression can come to anyone, privileged or not

Absolutely. It is good to be aware of your blessings and to practice gratitude, but your privilege does not dictate how you are "allowed" to feel. You are human and deserve to acknowledge and work through your emotions in the same ways as everyone else.

Depression has nothing to with wealth or status. It can affect anyone irrespective of the fact that they're privileged or not. So of course you have the right to feel depressed and your feelings are totally valid.

Yes. It doesn’t matter how rich or poor you are, whether you have 1 friend or 100 friends. Whether you eat three good meals a night or spend days eating left overs from the night befores’ microwaved meal. No matter your social status, depression is a chemical imbalance in your brain. Some environmental factors may not help your mental health but they are not the sole source of the problem.

Of course you do, depression isnt something that happens only when you arent privileged it can happen to anyone and at anytime.

Yeah, there's no such thing as having the "right" to a mental illness. It's not a one-size-fits-all type of thing. Anyone who comes from any background can have clinical depression, just as anyone can just have the blues or break an arm or have anxiety when speaking in front of a class.

Everyone has the right to feel depressed. Being privileged has not got anything to do with it. You could be the richest person in the world and still be depressed.

Sometimes it is even more the case. Everyone expects the priviledged just to be happy and enjoy what they have. What if I do not? I can feel bad and low and depressed like anybody else. It is not a matter of being priviledged or not. Things happen to different kinds of people. I have the right to seek help too