Why Seeing Happy Things Make Me Sad and Depressed

Of course, going through something sad can bring about sadness or even depression in a person, but why would seeing something happy make a person feel sad or depressed? Natasha Tracy, a person with bipolar disorder, explains why happy things tend to make her feel sadness instead of happiness when she's depressed.

Find Natasha Tracy on:

[emmaelson]

I think it's normal to be jealous of people who have it better than you have it. During my depression back in 2016 it was hard to look at my friends profiles on Facebook because they all seemed so happy

[NM-jqsv]

You almost made me cry. Its happening to me all the time and I am not able to understand this. I feel bad that I am jealous of happy people but I dont want to feel that way. I want to celebrate their happiness too.

[neonz]

I thought I was just crazy. Whenever I see child-like things, I feel this wave of hopelessness wash over me. Happens a lot with stuffed animals & cartoons.

[jamesbates]

I feel that way a lot. I seriously need links to overcome this. What is more sad is the awareness of this makes me more sad.

[luccianogucci]

i'v been having this feeling for a long time doesn't mean that i envy people for their happiness it's just cuz i never felt and understood what happiness really mean and that's why i can't Interact with people i just push myself away from everyone so that way i feel protected

[moon-rwgh]

I wonder if this is why I feel that way too

[Taylluna]

I’ve been really struggling with this lately and hearing you say that these thoughts are irrational helped me feel less guilty. I want so badly to be happy for people in my life, but I’m so deep in this sadness that I just get so triggered and I can’t help it. Thanks for the reminder that it’s not me, it’s my depression. 💗💗💗

[hosseinebrahimi]

Today is spring 13th and every iranian is spending a happy day in nature. And it's my 4th year i choose to stay at home alone cause i feel so down at this day and people who try to make me feel better are the worst.
Personally i came to a belief that it's the society's expectations that make me resent celebrations and feasts. the look in their eyes that asks "how could you not be happy?", "What is wrong with you?"

[MissyRichmond]

Thank you for talking about this, Natasha. It will help me explain it to the people in my life that don’t understand why I feel this way sometimes. I AM happy for others, I am. It’s There’s a reason my favorite movie genre is horror movies, and my favorite books are horror.

[Lilpapersthe]

Honestly I was looking for this as I have been through a lot in my life and even though I've gotten away from any negative things in my life now that happy things are going on around me is hard for me to just simply handle it so easily. When people are going to have a baby or they're walking with their kids or someone just proposes or watching a romantic comedy it's hard for me to at one moment seem happy but then the next moment I would be crying or feel like I just want to curl up in a ball scared that that will never happen for me just to ultimately put myself down.

[wiekertblaak]

I had something simular in the past, I was happy for the person but also extremely frustrated, I guess I grew over it.

[acampomft]

That's why I can't go on social media anymore. I see my "friends" doing well, and just knowing that I will never be normal or maybe not as successful or happy, I get depressed. It's just too much for me to take.

[mo.G_]

NO NO NOOOO!! You're creating a disaster, instead of solving the problem and finding what causes things to be that way you're simply neglecting it !!

[hadassahchayim]

I've been wondering why I'm like this for so long... Thank you! 🥲 Now I know.