Do I have the right to feel depressed even if I'm privileged?
rainyLight38
on
Feb 9, 2017
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Yes, you do. Depression doesn't care about age, gender, privileges... it's an illness, it can come regardless of your situation. Don't feel bad about feeling depressed even though you're privileged. You can't help it.
freshavocado
on
Feb 12, 2017
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Of course you do. Depression can occur in anyone's life. If doesn't matter how great or bad your life may be. Depression isn't built on your living conditions or necessarily the quality of your life it is something deeper, it could be a past of bullying or it could simply be that depression is in your family.
Anonymous
on
Feb 25, 2017
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Yes of course. We all feel depressed and stuck at some point. No matter who you are, or where you are in life. It's bound to happen, and it's completely normal.
Anonymous
on
Feb 26, 2017
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Everybody has the right to feel depressed, but nobody deserves to be depressed. Depression is a mental disease that cannot be prevented by privilege.
Anonymous
on
Mar 1, 2017
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Feeling depressed isn't something people have the right to feel or not feel any more than anyone has the right to get cancer or not get cancer. You don't choose to feel depressed and it can happen to anybody, and feeling bad about being depressed can actually be caused by the depression itself.
Birdybirdybird
on
Mar 11, 2017
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Depression could happen to anybody, even to people who seem to have a "perfect life". Medically; it's something that's happening in your brain, so it would be hard to prevent yourself from it, even when you feel like you're "privileged". And in the end we're all human and we all have emotions and everybody deserves to have emotions and to feel them.
UnderstandingFriend
on
Mar 18, 2017
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Of course you do. Everyone on earth has that right, even the richest man in the world. Depression is not always based on how your life is going, or how privileged you are. Your life doesn't have to be falling apart for you to have a valid reason to be upset.
Anonymous
on
Mar 19, 2017
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Depression has nothing to do woth privilege. On the contrary, privileged poeple are more depressed than others. Because there's a concept made by society that if you've everything you need, you can't get depressed. Privileged people are not 'allowed' to be depressed because they don't have to worry about anything. But in reality, they do. Just like everyone else, they've problems. They just have to put a happy face and smile through it because nobody will understand.
You've every right to be depressed. I'm not saying depression is a good thing. I pray no one has to go through it. It's one of the most horrible things that can happen to a person.
Just stay strong and you'll get over it.
FlynnePlease
on
Mar 29, 2017
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Just like how cancer does not choose whether it afflicts the rich or poor; Just like how young and old can be stricken with Malaria; Just like the Black Plague who honestly didn't give a hoot about anything... You did not choose to feel depressed didn't you? Of course not! That is why rather than asking if you have the right to be depressed, know that you have the right to be supported, helped, and treated.
Anonymous
on
Apr 1, 2017
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I do believe so. I've come to understand from experience that economic and social privilege does not guarantee a healthy state of mind. And a lot of times, depression may just be genetic.
delightfulDew40
on
Apr 1, 2017
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Yes, because depression is a serious condition that has no boundaries. No matter your situation anyone can become depressed and should be taken seriously in all cases.
Rambleonrose
on
Apr 2, 2017
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There is no such thing as having the 'right' to be depressed. Depression is an illness, as important as cancer or diabetes. Is it so that people who are privileged do not have the right to get a common flu or cancer? Depression can occur no matter what privileges you have or don't have. Depression does't take into account your social or monetary status. It is an illness that can affect any given person at any given time.
peacefulkat
on
Apr 5, 2017
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It depends on what happened to you exactly. Of course no one wants to be depressed and if something happens to you to where people expect you to be depressed then you don't always have to become that way. If something bad happens to you that impacts your life but you do not feel depressed but still feel that you have the privilege then no, you don't have to be. Although you do have the right.
CandyBunny
on
Apr 9, 2017
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Yes. Depression is an illness we can't control. There are some factors that can influence depression, but are certainly not always the reason why some people suffer from depression. I don't know how many times I have heard people say to me, "you are so lucky. You have a great life. Why would be depressed?" Some don't understand that sometimes, we just feel down. We can't explain it that we don't always have to have something in particular to be down about.
CloudsCanShine
on
Apr 12, 2017
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Depression is not just for one class. It's not reserved for those with different hardships than those with money. Anyone can suffer depression, and there is not shame in it.
lovelyGrace34
on
Apr 12, 2017
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Mental illnesses are valid, and they don't pick people based on their privilege, race, gender, religion, or otherwise. All of the aforementioned things are irrelevant to mental illnesses. Some people are afraid to tell anyone about their depression because other people have it worse. 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. Recovery is possible, not matter the amount of privileges you have or don't have.
ListeningForHope
on
Apr 14, 2017
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Depression isn't something that cares about race, gender, pronoun preference, sexual orientation, social class, or anything else that can classify someone in some way. Depression is a constant sadness that, unfortunately, happens to a lot of people no matter who they are. I'm so incredibly sorry that you have depression, and it's an awful feeling to have and I'm so sorry that you have to deal with it. Just remember than no one person or group of people control who gets to have depression of not. You have every right to feel depressed just as you have every right to get help and feel better and eventually overcome your situation. Thank you for reaching out to us about your question, and I hope I have clarified some of the confusion. We at 7 cups want to make sure that you are getting helped, as well. Please feel free to talk to any one of us listeners. Our members/guests mean the whole world to us and we all want you to feel safe and happy and loved. We care and we're here for you. Take care. xoxo
quietshell
on
Apr 16, 2017
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You have every right to be. Just to be. So if you're depressed, you have the right to have feelings just with the simple reason that you have these feelings. They are true and they exist, don't let anyone tell you what you can and cannot feel. I have the same problem, when I say that I'm sad, they will always bring up the fact that I should be grateful for my life while other kids in Syria are bombarded everyday and whose family and lives are killed. And I know, I can't even imagine what it must be like to be in that situation because I'm not in that situation, and if I would compare my feelings to that example every time I feel them, I could never be a human being. People in different situations have different feelings, different types of sadnesses and depressions. You have problems and they may seem insignificant next to that example but then again, I ask myself: "Then why does it hurts so much?" Because, you're feeling them, see? You're feelings are right there and while depression is horrible and I've been through it, what is more horrible is telling someone that they shouldn't feel a certain way and that they should swallow their feelings and act like grateful and happy people in their privileged lives.
But why? So that those feelings can rot inside me and eat me? Don't do that to yourself. Overcoming depression is very hard and living it too, but ignoring it or feeling bad for feeling bad is worse.
Feel what you feel and don't be ashamed of it.
neverendingWatermelon92
on
Apr 23, 2017
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Depression affects people from all walks of life. I suggest talking to a trusted friend or family member, or your doctor. Or you can connect with a listener who can listen to you.
EIise
on
Apr 23, 2017
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Yes, every single person have the right to feel happy, sad, angry or depressed. You privileged situation doesn't change anything to that. Many things lead to depression, but money definitly doesn't cure it. Don't feel guilty or whatever because you think you can't be depressed. You can and if you are, it's ok ♥ Take care :)
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