What ever happened to "anguish?" It seems every ounce of negative feelings surrounding a tough or sad situation is labeled "depression." I'm not saying depression does not exist, but today, it seems that when there's a death, a loss of some type, a bad memory, a struggle...the resulting "bad feelings" are quickly called "depression."

Depression is a loaded word (and syndrome) in this society. It has ample stigma pulled on a tight leash right behind it. It needs to be medicated. It demands a rhapsody of reaction.

When a loved one passes away, a job is lost, the x-rays show a spot...we may be depressed, but under the old definitions of the words, I think we are likely feeling plenty of "anguish."

Any thoughts?

Rob,

I think you are right about this.

When I started the "recovery phase" of my life, I felt depressed. I identified about 4 different kinds of depression that I either had then or had as a child. Meanwhile I was listening on FM radio to a radio-clinic-counseling-team. The psychiatrist on that team, Paul Meier, said that "depression was anger turned inward". But I knew I had depression which wasn't just anger.

So these are my thoughts about what is depression. I'm not disagreeing with you, just giving some old thoughts.

Depression was 4 things:
1. A feeling of sadness - emotional
2. A body feeling in which the body is somewhat stiff.
3. A slowing down of responses.
4. Anger turned inward

Allen

pufferfish

I thoroughly agree! Perhaps the most difficult thing for me to deal with both as a male and a survivor is emotion! I am currently struggling with learning to recognize the difference between what is simply an emotion and what are symptoms of clinical depression. Although it may be simple it sure ain't easy!!!

Both terms are necessary and useful. There is probably a degree of overlap.

The dictionary defines anguish as: Agonizing physical or mental pain; torment.

Depression is: A psychotic or neurotic condition characterized by an inability to concentrate, insomnia, and feelings of extreme sadness, dejection, and hopelessness

Certainly severe depression would involve anguish.

A third term partially related is anxiety. From the dictionary: Psychiatry. A state of intense apprehension, uncertainty, and fear resulting from the anticipation of a threatening event or situation, often to a degree that the normal physical and psychological functioning of the affected individual is disrupted.

Allen

pufferfish