02 December 2014

The D Word

Is anyone else tired of the use of the word "depressed" as a way to describe a mental or emotional state? I understand that some people have clinical depression and need treatment for it. But most of us could use another word to describe the way we feel. If I can get up out of bed and get myself or others to school/work and get things done during the day then it's probably safe to say that I don't have clinical depression. I'm offering a list of alternate "D" words (with a couple of others) so you can find one that expresses the specific nuanced feeling of your emotional state.

  1. anxious
  2. dark
  3. dated
  4. dazed
  5. debased
  6. debilitated
  7. deceived
  8. decimated
  9. declining
  10. decrepit
  11. defeated
  12. defective
  13. deficient
  14. dejected
  15. delicate
  16. deluded
  17. demented
  18. demoralized
  19. despairing
  20. despondent
  21. diffident
  22. diluted
  23. diminished
  24. dimwitted
  25. disappointed
  26. discontented
  27. discombobulated
  28. discomforted
  29. discomposed
  30. disconsolate
  31. discouraged
  32. disenchanted
  33. disgruntled
  34. disheartened
  35. disillusioned
  36. disjointed
  37. dismayed
  38. disoriented
  39. dispirited
  40. displeased
  41. disquieted
  42. dissatisfied
  43. distrait
  44. distraught
  45. distressed
  46. disturbed
  47. worried

Next time you're tempted to use that hackneyed term "depressed", I hope you'll stop and be more precise in your description of your mental and emotional state. And be sure to let me know if you can think of some more good "d" words.

I love this quote from Elder Boyd K. Packer:
It was meant to be that life would be a challenge. To suffer some anxiety, some depression, some disappointment, even some failure is normal. Teach our members that if they have a good miserable day once in a while, or several in a row, to stand steady and face them. Things will straighten out. There is great purpose in our struggle in life ("That All May Be Edified" [1982], 94).


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