When it isn't depression, it isn't depression.

I have a serious problem with depression being classified as a mental disorder... hold on, let me finish... Because depression isn't always depression. It's sometimes a completely normal and natural state of being, and by labelling it depression, we're labelling a whole group of individuals as mentally sick when they're not.

The issue is that we use the term "depression" to describe a wide range of emotions, sensations, and moods. This one word may be used to describe everything, from the emotions evoked by a sorrowful song to the emotions that drove someone to stand on the brink of a cliff, ready to jump. We're blurring the lines between good emotional reactions and toxic, self-destructive thinking by using this one term so loosely, and we're generating a lot of confusion in the process. I've noticed that the phrases depression, mental health, and mental disease are all used interchangeably as if they're interchangeable when they're not.

People who feel ashamed because they believe their preference for being alone is a sign of mental illness, those who worry that even though they have a great life they still seem to be sad and gloomy all the time, those who think and feel so deeply that they feel alienated from the people around them, those who are afraid to say that they think sad sons. None of these folks are mentally unwell; they are all completely normal. They're simply wired differently, and it's to these individuals that I'd like to reach out and comfort.

I'm not a psychologist or a therapist, therefore I'm not prepared to remark, but as a depressive who gets depressed frequently and has suffered from depression, I can speak from personal experience, significant reading, and observations of human nature. For the sake of this post, I'll divide depression into three groups based on how it's regarded by the general population.

Depression that is severe or clinical

This is a mental ailment because it is severe, persistent, and unshakeable depression. It is debilitating and can make it difficult for a person to live a regular life. It might be the consequence of a traumatic event, external pressures such as work or relationship issues, or being bullied, or it can be the result of hormonal or chemical abnormalities with no obvious reason. It's more than just being in a bad mood or feeling gloomy.

It is characterised by a self-harming mentality, manifested not necessarily in physical self-harm but rather in self-loathing, self-defeating, and self-depreciating ideas. It is frequently a lifetime ailment, similar to how many medical conditions/illnesses need lifelong therapy, however there may be times of remission when symptoms are decreased. This is brilliantly illustrated in the video below, which was created by The Mighty and Wentworth Miller.

If you are suffering from this type of depression, I highly advise you to seek therapy in whichever manner you are most comfortable with. You are not alone, and there are individuals who have been in your shoes and are willing to assist you.

Mild depressive disorder

This is the 'typical' low mood depression caused by a triggering life event such as the loss of a loved one, the break-up of a relationship, or life stressors, among other things. It may contain elements of self-defeating thinking, but it does not focus entirely around these ideas. It is transient and may pass on its own with the use of self-care approaches or with the assistance of a specialist. It's more like catching a cold than being diagnosed with a chronic ailment or sickness when it comes to mental illness. Depression is more of a symptom than a serious sickness in this case. In a cause and effect equation, it is the result of a very real cause.

While it is critical to address the symptoms of all types of depression and to provide support to those who are depressed, we must not forget that depression rarely occurs in isolation, and that eliminating bullies, intolerance, work stresses, inequality, and injustices will do more to promote future mental health wellness than Band-Aid counselling and medication.

Depression that isn't really depression

This seeming depressed state isn't actually depressed at all. It is not a mental disorder because there are differences in skin colour, hair colour, or eye colour. Although a person's guilt and humiliation for behaving this way might be overwhelming. If they are unaware that this is typical, it might lead to moderate to severe depression.

This term "depression" refers to a person's attitude, demeanour, disposition, and life experience. It depicts a person who appears to be permanently depressed and prone to sporadic low moods and tearfully fragile states that appear out of nowhere, or who appears to absorb the emotions of others around them. They find crowded social events or noisy packed places taxing, and they're bewildered as to why they're so 'down' after a night out with pals.

They cry every time they listen to a sad music, and when their friends question why they keep listening to it even though it makes them sad, they say it's because it's so beautiful. Weddings and festivals such as New Year's make them melancholy. Even if they are comfortable and content – basically happy – with their lives, they strive to appear cheery and bright. They are always worried, and their acquaintances claim they are always finding fault with things, that they whine excessively, and that they are simply 'negative'. Sad paintings, tragic love stories, rain, darkness, abandoned landscapes, emotional and nostalgic images all appeal to them. They have profound feelings, deep thoughts, and deep life experiences.