Dejection
Dejection is a state of emotional lowliness or deep sadness, often accompanied by a sense of hopelessness, discouragement, or lack of motivation. It is more than merely feeling sad—it carries a sense of being weighed down or emotionally drained, sometimes with a hint of resignation.
You might picture someone sitting with slumped shoulders, staring blankly, not due to physical exhaustion, but because the weight of disappointment, loss, or despair has drained the life from their spirit for the moment.
Synonyms include despondency, gloom, melancholy, or downheartedness, though each has its own nuance. For example, “melancholy” can carry a kind of poetic sadness, while “dejection” feels heavier and more defeated.
Want to explore it in a specific context—like in literature, psychology, or something personal?
In psychology, dejection is often described as a mood state characterized by low affect, reduced motivation, and a negative outlook on oneself or life circumstances. It's commonly associated with depressive states but doesn’t always meet the criteria for clinical depression.
Key Features of Dejection in Psychology: Emotional flattening: A person may feel emotionally numb or persistently sad.
- Cognitive effects: Negative thoughts, self-doubt, and rumination are common.
- Behavioral signs: Withdrawal from social interaction, loss of interest in activities, reduced productivity.
- Physical symptoms: Fatigue, changes in appetite or sleep, psychosomatic complaints.
Causes or Triggers:
Loss or failure (e.g., breakup, job loss, academic failure)
- Chronic stress
- Low self-esteem
- Unmet goals or expectations
Dejection vs. Depression:
Dejection can be situational and temporary.
Depression is more pervasive and persistent, often requiring clinical intervention. Dejection may be an early warning sign or a milder expression of depressive disorders.
Therapeutic Perspective:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) often addresses dejection by helping individuals:
- Challenge and reframe negative thought patterns
- Re-engage with life through small, achievable goals
- Build resilience and emotional regulation skills
See also [ Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions ]
External links
- As of 04/2025, there were no articles about Dejection on the Wikipedia website /R
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