I'm pretty depressed.

Does other people's happiness piss you off when you're depressed (or even in general)? It makes me envious and pissy. And the weather in Massachusetts is fantastic today, but it makes me feel worse because it's a "happy day" outside and everyone is happy except me

Mood wise: the haves and have nots.

[Sunflower123]

I don't get envious of other's happiness but I do get wistful over other people's "normal lives". I know somebody will say what is normal but you know what I mean. The kind of life I would be living if I wasn't mentally ill. I have an immediate family member, female, close in age to me who does not have mental illness and the difference is huge.

I'm sorry you're having a tough time. I hope you feel better soon.

[UpDownAround]

It isn't so much envy of particular people as much as it is wishing things were different in my life and seeing examples of how it could be "if only" will sometimes cause me to dwell on my disappointments. But I hold no ill will toward people who don't have my disappointments, which I infer from "envy"; quite the contrary. I am happy for them. It's just bittersweet.

People walking down the street with their families, looking carefree is hard on me sometimes. Makes me wish for days before my husband died, and the times long before that when we first met, and I was happy for years because I had found him.

The only feeling I get from seeing happy families is depression/anxiety.

[~Christina]

No, Because I know every person I am seeing that "looks" happy is fighting there own battles.

If anyone here were to see me walking down the street noone would have a clue, I appear fine and even happy. I "fake it til I make really well"

I have to verbally tell my husband " I am not doing well at all" He is typically very surprised.

I don't chase finding happiness I just want to be "content"

[*Laurie*]

No one who didn't know me would ever guess that I battle mental illness. That said, I do feel sad over what my life might have been had I not been mentally ill, had I not had to be on meds, feeling tired, gaining weight. I'm incredibly fortunate because I'm married and we raised great kids who are doing so well in life.

Anyway, I don't want to ramble on. It's just...if I wouldn't have been mentally ill I probably would be much more stable financially, not have to constantly worry about being homeless and having to give my precious cats away. And maybe I wouldn't have to work SO hard to get through each day and night. I'm not so much envious of 'normal' people as I am...like Jennifer said...'wistful.'

[Naynay99]

Yes.
While I always try to celebrate and be happy for others good fortune, sometimes it feels like I am only ever on the side congratulating others for reaching milestones. It feels like I am never the one being congtatulated, and that can sometimes really suck, when I get to feeling like "when the fuuck is it going to be my turn?!"...

Then I feel bad for feeling bad, which makes me feel guilty for not being happier for them. s
Idk if that makes sense. I just wish it felt like the playing field were a little more even and life was fairer in its distribution of good fortune.

I love what Christina said about not chasing happiness, just wanting to be content. It sounds realistic and attainable and a good attitude to have in life. But I can't lie- I am totally chasing down happy and mere contentment feels sort of like a consolation prize to me. I want amazing.
anyway great question to ponder. Take care.

with me, it's less getting envious about people's happyness, more about the event.

example someone says to me I am going to a live music concert with a few friends.

my thoughts arn't, well, why are they happy and i'm not, it's more... they get to go to a music concert with friends, and even if I could leave my house, who would I go to a music concert with?

and it's the same with news.

when someone gives me good news, it's more like, well, good for them- not why are they happy and i'm not

I don't get envious.....I have gotten mad though. I just thought the person was too stupid to see the truth about life and the world. I may have been projecting and I doubt I will live to see how their life turns out to know for certain. I just want MY life to improve, not steal someone else's life.

[liveforsummer]

No. I just wish I could be more care free.

[jacky8807]

when I spend a lot of time in depression.....I wouldn't say I "envy" their happiness so much as I stand in awe of it

How does it come so naturally to them?
How is it so normal for them to BE happy?
Why are they not plagued as am I?
What is it like to be like that ?

luck of the draw BLUE. Luck of the draw

[Shazerac]

I don't know. I don't think I feel envious of other people's lives. Who knows what's going on in their head.

[Wild Coyote]

I miss my life... what it may have been like.
I don't really look at the lives of others and compare.

I agree with Christina about "contentment." I find it more peaceful than an exciting happiness. I'd chased happiness and excitement for awhile and it brought me constant chaos/instability.

I am all for contentment (and stability).


WC

[99fairies]

I just got back from my sisters house and I feel very envious of her. She is thin, has an amazing house that she designed. She is always going to Hawaii and Mexico. They have a lot of money and I am always broke. I most certainly envy her. I also compare myself to other women that I see in public as well. It's a horrible way to live.