Common Triggers
- →Loss of a loved one
- →Chronic illness
- →Job loss
- →Breakup or divorce
- →Long-term stress
- →Isolation and loneliness
Physical Sensations
- •Heaviness in the chest
- •Difficulty sleeping
- •Lack of energy
- •Muscle tension
- •Headaches
- •Stomach discomfort
Plutchik's Emotion Wheel
sadness
reintegration / help-seeking
Working with This Emotion
Recognize
Depression can be recognized through physical sensations like heaviness in the chest, difficulty sleeping, and a lack of energy. Facial expressions might include a downturned mouth and drooping shoulders. Behavioral signs include withdrawal from social activities and a loss of interest in things once enjoyed.
Understand
Common causes of depression include significant life events such as loss, illness, or job loss. Chronic stress, isolation, and unresolved emotional issues can also trigger this emotion. Understanding these triggers helps in addressing the root causes.
Label
To label depression accurately, distinguish it from temporary sadness by its intensity and duration. Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of hopelessness, despair, and a lack of interest in activities. It differs from grief, which often has a specific cause and can include moments of relief.
Express
Healthy ways to express depression include journaling about your feelings, talking to a trusted friend or therapist, engaging in creative outlets like art or music, and practicing self-care routines that bring comfort and stability.
Regulate
Strategies to regulate depression include mindfulness practices like deep breathing and meditation, regular physical activity, maintaining a balanced diet, seeking professional help, and building a supportive social network.
Co-occurring Emotions
Emotions that frequently appear alongside depression, based on the NRC Emotion Lexicon.
Associated Words
Words associated with depression from the NRC Emotion Lexicon.
Using Inner
Using Inner, you can track patterns of depression by logging physical sensations like heaviness in your chest or difficulty sleeping. Awareness of these signals helps you recognize early signs. You can also explore regulation strategies such as mindfulness exercises or reaching out to a support network.
Try Inner for FreeSources & References
- —RULER Framework (Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence)
- —Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions
- —Geneva Emotion Wheel
- —Lisa Feldman Barrett - How Emotions Are Made
Related Content
Hopelessness
A feeling of having no hope; despair.
Despair
The complete loss or absence of hope.
Melancholy
A deep, pensive, and long-lasting sadness.
Projection
Attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or motives to another person.
The Shadow
The unconscious aspect of personality containing rejected or repressed qualities.
Inner Critic
The internalized critical voice that harshly judges, shames, and undermines self-worth.