I think part of the problem is that we need a different term for “clinically depressed.” People hear and use the word “depressed” all the time and many don’t understand that there’s a big difference between being temporarily sad or down-in-the-dumps, and brain-chemistry clinical depression that you take meds for (if it works for you).

It’s a lot like when I make fun of my kids for using “freezing” or “starving” in the same way: no, you’re not freezing, it’s 40 degrees out; no, you’re not wasting away, you had breakfast an hour ago.