90+ Depression quotes with meanings explained to understand life better

Top Anxiety and Depression Quotes with Meaning Explained

Quote: 1

“Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not, and often we call a man cold when he is only sad.”
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Meaning:

Depression and anxiety symptoms are like being tired and scared at the same time. You want to speak your heart out, but you hate socializing. You want to be alone, but you are scared to leave as lonely. It’s only a relieve when you move on.

One instance you care for everything and the very next moment you know nothing. You feel okay sometimes, and the other hours of the day you are paralyzed like a numb. This anomalous behavior makes you a cold man in other’s eyes.

Quote: 2

“Whenever you read a cancer booklet or website or whatever, they always list depression among the side effects of cancer. But depression is not a side effect of cancer. Depression is a side effect of dying.”
– John Green

Meaning:

Depression is the side effect of dying. When you feel the vibes of not being able to live the moments with your closed ones again, then you get scared even about the thought of it.

But when you exactly know that you can’t ignore your health condition by excusing it as a nightmare then you enter into a state of the psychotically depressed state of mind.

Quote: 3

“That’s the thing about depression: A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it’s impossible to ever see the end.”
– Elizabeth Wurtzel

Meaning:

Remember not to ask a person who is depressed “why?”. Because depression is not straightforward, the person who is dealing with may be unaware of how to resolve it.The so-called ‘psychotically depressed’ person who tries to kill herself doesn’t do so out of quote ‘hopelessness’ or any abstract conviction that life’s assets and debits do not square.

And surely not because death seems suddenly appealing. The person in whom Its invisible agony reaches a certain unendurable level will kill herself the same way a trapped person will eventually jump from the window of a burning high-rise.

Quote: 4

“Noble deeds and hot baths are the best cures for depression.”
– Dodie Smith

Meaning:

When you are afraid of socializing and want to elope into the world of no reasons and justification then start doing deeds that will help others.

In a state of despair, try to be a ray of hope for someone who needs it desperately even though you are a stranger to him. These good deeds will make you feel your worth and need to society when you have given up the art of living.

Quote: 5

“I waste at least an hour every day lying in bed. Then I waste time pacing. I waste time thinking. I waste time being quiet and not saying anything because I’m afraid I’ll stutter.”
– Ned Vizzini

Meaning:

When you are lost and don’t know even from which direction the sun will rise, then take a break. Eat even when the smell of food disgust you.

Exercise even when it feels much heavier to step out. Listen to your loved ones because they are not going to judge your behavior. Be kind to strangers even when you are too rude to your reflection in the mirror. Try to be a reason for others to smile even when you have lost yours.

Quote: 6

“I’m fine. Well, I’m not fine – I’m here.” “Is there something wrong with that?” “Absolutely.”
– Ned Vizzini

Meaning:

Sometimes it’s okay to not be okay.The world always seeks an assertive reply to the question “How are you?”But it’s okay if you are not willing to answer the question now.Take your time. Not for others to know that you are doing good, take time to make yourself feel good.

No one is going to do this on your behalf, you have to make yourself okay. It will take time but in the end, you will be okay, if not then it is not the end.

Quote: 7

“I am in that temper that if I were underwater I would scarcely kick to come to the top.”
– John Keats

Meaning:

When somebody dies after a long illness, people are apt to say, with a note of approval, “He fought so hard.” But when a manned suicide we say that he just simply “gave up on life”.

Why so partiality in thoughts? The man who commits suicide doesn’t do because he doesn’t want to live, does because his agony has reached a certain endurance level. And from the sight death felt more appealing to him.

Quote: 8

“Depression is like a bruise that never goes away. A bruise in your mind. You just got to be careful not to touch it where it hurts. It’s always there, though.”
– Jeffrey Eugenides

Meaning:

Depression is like your shadow. It will never leave you. It is you who have to make it your reflection and deal with it with care and patience.

Quote: 9

“I hate getting flashbacks from things I don’t want to remember.”
– Unknown

Meaning:

Mentally somewhere else. When we are physically in the present but mentally our mind and heart both are dwindling in the flashbacks.

We connect every present instance with our past and try to justify it. Meanwhile, we forget to live in the present moments.

Quote: 10

“Are you okay? They ask I respond as quickly as I can so they will not notice the earthquakes in my voice or the tsunamis in my eyes or the drought in my heart.”
– Unknown

Meaning:

Sometimes you try to keep your things to yourself because you think that no-one will understand. So you act very comfortably to make others feel comfortable and even to elude to answer the question “are you okay?” with “I am fine.”

Short Depression Quotes

“The worst kind of sad is not being able to explain why.”
“And then suddenly I became sad for no reason at all.”
“When you have depression simply existing is a full-time job.”
“That is all I want in life: for this pain to seem purposeful.”
“Why does everything always feel worse at night?”
“Depression is not the same as sadness.”
“Nobody ever tells you that emptiness weighs the most.”
“I want to sleep until I feel better.”
“Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.”
“She was drowning, but nobody saw her struggle.”
“My silence is just another word for my pain.”
“I miss the person I used to be.”
“I’m exhausted from trying to be stronger than I feel.”
“My body and heart weren’t made for this. I’m tired of being tired and I’m tired of being sad.”
“Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion.”
“You’re not a bad person for the ways you tried to kill your sadness.”
“Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it.”
“It all starts with not wanting to get out of bed, that’s how you know you’re getting bad again.”
“Saying “I’m tired” when you’re sad.”
“Depression has nothing to do with having a bad day or being sad.”
“No storm, not even the one in your life, can last forever. The storm is just passing over.”- Iyanla Vanzant
“I saw the world in black and white instead of the vibrant colors and shades I knew existed.”- Katie McGarry
“I drank to drown my pain, but the damned pain learned how to swim.”
“There are times when explanations, no matter how reasonable, just don’t seem to help.”
“It’s hard to answer the question “What’s wrong?” when nothing’s right.”

Depression Quotes on Life

“You may look happy with others. You may laugh at jokes, dance with others, sing along to songs, but inside, you still feel sad. Internally, you still feel lifeless.”
“It is a common misconception that depression means being sad, or crying a lot, or dressing ’emo’ to be dramatic, to show sadness. It is a lot more than that. Depression is feeling numb to emotions, feeling numb to everything in life.”
“That’s the thing about depression: A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it’s impossible to ever see the end.”- Elizabeth Wurtzel
“That’s the thing about depression: A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it’s impossible to ever see the end.”
“Sometimes you just need someone to tell you you’re not as terrible as you think you are.”
“It feels like everyone else is moving on with their lives while I am stuck here, in this hole that I can’t climb out of.”
“You say you’re ‘depressed’ — all I see is resilience. You are allowed to feel messed up and inside out. It doesn’t mean you’re defective — it just means you’re human.”- David Mitchell
“People who have never dealt with depression think it’s just being sad or being in a bad mood. That’s not what depression is for me; it’s falling into a state of grayness and numbness.”- Dan Reynolds

Depression Quotes on Fake Smile

“She hurts and she cries. But you can’t see the depression in her eyes. Because she just smiles…”
“You smile, but you wanna cry. You talk, but you wanna be quiet. You pretend like you’re happy but you aren’t.”
“She says she’s fine but she’s going insane. She says she feels good but she’s in a lot of pain. She says it’s nothing but it’s a lot. she says she’s okay. but she’s not.”
“Fools are those that believe smiles are a sign of happiness.”
Because sometimes you put on a smile, even though you’re going through rough times; but if we look past the smile, we would notice all the pain.
“Sometimes life brings you to such a pathetic situation that you feel smiling is far better than explaining why we are sad.
“We can always smile, but that doesn’t mean that our hearts are not shedding tears.”
“I can’t really act the way I want to act, or say what I want to say all the time. And a lot of times, I cover that up with a smile.” – Hilary Duff

Depression Quotes on Love

“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.”- Laurell K. Hamilton
It is sad not to love, but it is much sadder not to be able to love. – Miguel de Unamuno
“I wish I could go back to a time when I could smile and it didn’t take everything in me to do it.”
“Our greatest joy and our greatest pain come in our relationships with others.” – Stephen R. Covey
“Part of me aches at the thought of her being so close yet so untouchable.” – Nicholas Sparks
What you are seeing now is not what it always is. It is just like pain. It might not seem visible, however, deep inside, it is just so much to take.
Some people came into your life to give you a lesson. They will just pass into your life and the memories they left will always stay in your heart.

Depression Quotes for Family

“Sometimes when I say “I’m OK”, I need someone to look me in the eyes, hug me tight and say “I know you are not”
No one realizes how strong someone with depression has to be just to do daily stuff like shower, brush hair or get out of bed.”
“Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.”
“That’s the thing about depression: A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it’s impossible to ever see the end.”- Elizabeth Wurtzel
“I want to tell you how to help me. I want you to tell me what I need. I wish I could.”
“Getting better from depression demands a lifelong commitment. I’ve made that commitment for my life’s sake and for the sake of those who love me.”- Susan Polis Schutz
“Sad hurts but it’s a healthy feeling. It is a necessary thing to feel. Depression is very different.”
“Depression isn’t just being a bit sad. It’s feeling nothing. It’s not wanting to be alive anymore.”
“Grief is a depression in proportion to circumstance; depression is grief out of proportion to circumstance.”
“Anyone who has been that sad can tell you that there’s nothing beautiful or literary or mysterious about depression.”
“It is very hard to explain to people who have never known serious depression or anxiety the sheer continuous intensity of it. There is no off switch.”

Depression Quotes for Whatsapp DP

“All of my dreams have faded into nightmares, and all of my nightmares have faded into reality.”
“They told me that there is light at the end of the tunnel, so I must be blind.”
“Hiding depression isn’t fixing depression.”
“The war begins when you are born, but you know you are losing when depression starts.”
“Depression may look like a heaven, but that is a deception to hide all the weapons.”
“Just because all you see is suffering does not mean that overcoming it is out of the question.”
“My sadness seems like it will never end, I am so depressed.”
“Depression creates a living zombie with no will to live.“

Depression Quotes for Instagram Stories

“My heart is pounding everywhere, when you get close they can get hurt.“
“If you know someone who’s depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just is, like the weather.”- Stephen Fry
“I don’t need a particular reason to be sad. It’s just how my life is.”
“What hurts more, Breakup or Betrayal? Replacement,” a heart cried.“
“I’m busy saving everybody else when I can’t even save myself”
“I found that with depression, one of the most important things you could realize is that you’re not alone.”- Dwayne Johnson

Overcoming Depression Quotes

“We know you’re tired, tired, and scared. Happens to everyone, okay? Just don’t let your feet stop.”- Haruki Murakami
“I am bent, but not broken. I am scared, but not disfigured. I am sad, but not hopeless. I am tired, but not powerless. I am angry, but not bitter. I am depressed, but not giving up.”
“You shall not be afraid to hear bad news. God will strengthen you.”- Lailah Gifty Akita
“Use the arrows failure throws at you to hunt for success.”- Matshona Dhliwayo
“I go through a lot of depression, and I know other people do, too, but I have an outlet that so many people don’t. If you have that inside of you and can’t get it out, what do you do?”- Billie Eilish
“Sadness is more or less like a head cold – with patience, it passes. Depression is like cancer.”- Barbara Kingsolver

Deep Depression Quotes

“I’ll never forget how depression and loneliness felt good and bad at the same time. Still does.”- Henry Rollins
“There is no person in this whole world who is a mistake, no matter how different that person may seem”– Fred Rogers
“I need one of those long hugs where you kinda forget whatever else is happening around you for a minute.”
“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.”
“It’s so difficult to describe depression to someone who’s never been there because it’s not sadness. I know sadness. Sadness is to cry and to feel. But it’s that cold absence of feeling — that hollowed-out feeling.”- J.K. Rowling
would fly out of my throat and I’d cry for a week. I could feel the tears brimming and sloshing in me like water in a glass that is unsteady and too full.”- Sylvia Plath
“I didn’t want to wake up. I was having a much better time asleep. And that’s sad. It was almost like a reverse nightmare, like when you wake up from a nightmare you’re so relieved. I woke up into a nightmare.”- Ned Vizzini
“I didn’t want my picture taken because I was going to cry. I didn’t know why I was going to cry, but I knew that if anybody spoke to me or looked at me too closely the tears would fly out of my eyes and the sobs
“Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also harder to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say “My tooth is aching” than to say “My heart is broken.”- C.S. Lewis
“Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest, and best things you will ever do.”- Stephen Fry
“Listen to the people who love you. Believe that they are worth living for even when you don’t believe it. Seek out the memories depression takes away and project them into the future. Be brave; be strong; take your pills. Exercise because it’s good for you even if every step weighs a thousand pounds. Eat when food itself disgusts you. Reason with yourself when you have lost your reason.”- Andrew Solomon
“It was almost like a reverse nightmare, like when you wake up from a nightmare you’re so relieved. I woke up into a nightmare.”
“So you try to think of someone else you’re mad at, and the unavoidable answer pops into your little warped brain: everyone.”
“Because wherever I sat—on the deck of a ship or at a street café in Paris or Bangkok—I would be sitting under the same glass bell jar, stewing in my sour air.”
“I am so demanding and difficult for my friends because I want to crumble and fall apart before them so that they will love me even though I am no fun, lying in bed, crying all the time, not moving. Depression is all about If you loved me you would.”
“You sometimes think you want to disappear, but all you want is to be found.”
“You hate when people see you cry because you want to be a that strong girl. At the same time, though, you hate how nobody notices how torn apart and broken you are.”
“Depression makes you isolated. It’s very hard to think of other people when you’re wrapped in a prickly blanket of sadness and all you can think about is your pain.”
“I’m not sure if I’m depressed. I mean, I’m not sad, but I’m not exactly happy either. I can laugh and joke and smile during the day, but sometimes when I’m alone at night I forget how to feel.”
“Depression exist without you knowing it, even denying it. It is not an illusion. You don’t even know you’re in it. It takes a while before you realize it.”
“Sometimes, what a person needs is not a brilliant mind that speaks, but a patient heart that listens.”
“It’s so difficult to describe depression to someone who’s never been there because it’s not sadness.”
“Mental illness is so much more complicated than any pill that any mortal could invent.”- Elizabeth Wentzel
“Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest, and best things you will ever do.”- Stephen Fry