distress & depress. What's the difference? Thanks.
These two words seems both mean mental pain. Could you please tell me what's the difference between them, since they are both very frequently used words. Thanks.

Question

Answer

Imagine two sets of laboratory rats in a cage. Both are unhappy, but they're showing it in different ways.

The ones which are distressed are running around in an agitated fashion and squeaking.

The ones which are depressed are sitting in the corner silently, too apathetic and demotivated to move.

Poor things :(