HealthJuly 4, 2026
worthlessness
/ˈwɜːrθləsnəs/
Definition
The painful psychological state of feeling that one lacks value, importance, or personal merit, often associated with clinical depression.
Etymology
The word is formed by combining the Old English 'weorth' (meaning value or worth) with the suffix '-less' (lacking) and '-ness' (the state or quality of). It emerged in Middle English to describe the condition of being without merit or significance.
In the news
In this article, a psychologist explains that people struggling with depression often endure profound feelings of worthlessness. This emotional weight is cited as a reason why it is exceptionally difficult for individuals to speak publicly about their mental health.
Kean’s depression disclosure prompts questions about mental health stigma
Read the full article ↗The Hill