Angst or Depression?

A friend of mine has been dealing with depression. Or angst. He's not sure which and was pondering the difference.

Here was my answer:

I think existential angst comes from a vague hopelessness. A feeling that all is not 'as it should be' , whatever that may mean to us at the time.

Depression comes from a longing. Again, it may be a longing we can't define, but something is definitely missing.

Until we can identify either artifice that is either wrong or missing, we can do something about each in the meanwhile.

For Angst, we can pick a direction and move forward until the world 'feels right' again.

For Depression, we can look for the treasures in our life and our world that are joyful and good, and give all our heart and energy to those.

That focus will allow the angst or depression to dissipate while we journey on. And one day it will subside and be but a distant memory. And either way, look at all you will have gained in the process. :)