--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In one sense, depression can feel even…" description: "\"“In one sense, depression can feel even worse than cancer, because most cancer patients feel hope as well as self-esteem.”\" — David D. Burns" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/105/david-d-burns-4607_cancer_in-one-sense-depression-can-feel-even-wo_19730.png" --- # In one sense, depression can feel even worse than cancer… ![“In one sense, depression can feel even worse than cancer, because most cancer patients feel hope as well as self-esteem.” quote by David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/105/david-d-burns-4607_cancer_in-one-sense-depression-can-feel-even-wo_19730.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/105/david-d-burns-4607_cancer_in-one-sense-depression-can-feel-even-wo_19730.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/105/david-d-burns-4607_cancer_in-one-sense-depression-can-feel-even-wo_19730.png) > ““In one sense, depression can feel even worse than cancer, because most cancer patients feel hope as well as self-esteem.”” [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Depression can be more crushing than cancer because it erodes hope and self-worth, whereas even serious illness often leaves room for optimism. **In simple terms:** Depression erodes hope, cancer often preserves it. Key Takeaway Loss of hope intensifies suffering. Themes mental health psychology hope self-esteem comparative suffering Mood somber reflective empathetic Type observational philosophical When to use this quote - clinical therapy - support groups - patient counseling - mental health awareness campaigns - personal coping strategies Key Concepts depression cancer hope self-esteem Practical Applications - psychotherapy - psychoeducation Questions to Reflect On - How does hope influence recovery? - What strategies restore self-esteem during depression? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cancer/) [Cancer patients](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cancer-patients/) [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Depression Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression-feel-393298/) [Feel Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-hope-244352/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Patients Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patients-feel-393297/) [Sense Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-depression-393296/) [Worse Cancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worse-cancer-393295/) ## Related quotes > [Depression can seem worse than terminal cancer, because most cancer patients feel loved and they have hope and self-esteem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/depression-can-seem-worse-than-terminal-cancer-because-most-cancer/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [There is enormous shame around depression of any kind and at any time. And there's enormous social stigma attached to it, which we need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-solomon/there-is-enormous-shame-around-depression-of-any-kind-and-at-any-time/) [Andrew Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-solomon/) > [When possible, distance yourself from the suspected source. Move at least 20 feet away; see if you feel relief. Dont err on the side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/when-possible-distance-yourself-from-the-suspected-source-move-at/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [“What's worse than cancer? Leprosy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-i-solzhenitsyn/what-s-worse-than-cancer-leprosy/) [Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-i-solzhenitsyn/) > [“There is nothing worse than fear. 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With…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/i-make-my-patients-feel-like-they-re-still-part-of-life-part-of-some/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [“Thoughts arise in the hostage's tormented brain. In the hospital, patients feel they are returning to childhood; in prison, they age. The gods blind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/thoughts-arise-in-the-hostage-s-tormented-brain-in-the-hospital/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [ “often it is not “the pill in the hand, but the hand behind the pill” that helps our patients feel better \[6\].” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-colgan/often-it-is-not-the-pill-in-the-hand-but-the-hand-behind-the-pill/) [Richard Colgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-colgan/) ## More by David D. 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