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).