Feeling Wheel
What feeling depressed is like
Feeling depressed is a deep, lasting low mood, where things you usually enjoy feel flat and getting through the day takes effort. Everyone has low days, and naming the feeling helps you notice when one becomes a pattern.
If this feeling has stayed with you for a while, or you feel unsafe, please talk to someone you trust or a doctor. If you're in danger right now, contact your local emergency services.
Depressed or gloomy?
Gloomy is a downcast mood that can lift with the weather or the day. Depressed is deeper and lasts longer, and it can affect sleep, appetite and energy. Read more about feeling gloomy.
Finding depressed on the feelings wheel
On the Feeling Wheel, depressed sits in the Sad group. Start in the middle of the wheel with sad, then move outwards to depressed. If it's close but not quite right, the other sad words below may fit better. It's also normal to feel more than one thing at once.
Other words in the Sad group
Sad words range from a mild let-down to deep grief and hopelessness.
- Bleak Feeling hopeless or discouraged about the future
- Hurt Feeling emotional pain or distress
- Deflated Feeling temporarily let down or disappointed
- Melancholy Feeling deep, reflective sadness
- Sorrowful Feeling grief or sadness
- Gloomy Feeling pessimistic or downcast
- Discouraged Feeling a loss of confidence or enthusiasm
- Insignificant Feeling unimportant or overlooked
- Broken Feeling deeply emotionally damaged
- Bored Feeling uninterested or weary
- Numb Feeling unable to experience emotions
- Apathetic Feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern
- Empty Feeling a lack of meaning or fulfilment
- Despair Feeling complete loss of hope
- Disillusioned Feeling disappointed that reality isn’t as expected
- Miserable Feeling extremely unhappy or uncomfortable
- Disappointed Feeling sad that expectations weren’t met
- Indifferent Feeling no strong pull in any direction
Name what you're feeling
Feeling Wheel puts all 118 of these words on one wheel. Tap the ones that fit, add a note if you like, and see your patterns over time. Free on iPhone and Android.