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If You're Often Angry or Irritable, You May Be Depressed

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Re: If You're Often Angry or Irritable, You May Be Depressed

#121

Post by sjjshzvuiajhz »

tabtab wrote: post #37
avgDev wrote: post #28

The more you know about the world and tech especially, the more you will get depressed, IMO, maybe I'm wrong. Humans in general are pretty shitty, driven mostly by self-interest. I guess there are people driven by doing good but most people are capable of doing terrible things, especially when in a group. I do suffer from existential depression, I'm generally pretty happy, but as I learn more and live longer my outlo…

Agreed. The average human is illogical. It's not easy for Vulcans to live among Ferengies. I don't claim to be "mostly right", but I do claim to use and be able to produce a logical train of thought for recommending courses of actions. I can write it out in detail if and when requested. However, few are really interested in a logical justification: they usually use office politics and their "gut" to decide. Sorry, bu…

People are constantly constructing internal narratives to explain their actions. From the perspective of the narrator, with a life’s worth of context, those actions fit into the narrative in a perfectly logical way. From the perspective of others who lack that context, those actions can seem illogical. Maybe you really are more logical than the people around you, but on the other hand you can’t read minds - maybe you can’t simulate the brains of the people you meet with sufficient accuracy to reconstruct their internal logic.

Re: If You're Often Angry or Irritable, You May Be Depressed

#122

Post by webmobdev »

ohiovr wrote: post #4

A long time ago before I was treated for bipolar disorder I found my depression was related to anger turned inward at myself. But others I have talked to didn’t always relate this way as I did with depression.

If you mean inward anger = self-loathing / self-hatred, you are right as that's a common symptom of depression too.

Re: If You're Often Angry or Irritable, You May Be Depressed

#123

Post by kempbellt »

avgDev wrote: post #28

The more you know about the world and tech especially, the more you will get depressed, IMO, maybe I'm wrong. Humans in general are pretty shitty, driven mostly by self-interest. I guess there are people driven by doing good but most people are capable of doing terrible things, especially when in a group. I do suffer from existential depression, I'm generally pretty happy, but as I learn more and live longer my outlo…

This resonates with me quite a bit. Some food for thought, as I have become more aware of this in my own life over the past year. I've also touched on this in past comments, but it might be worth re-mentioning.

I spent a week in the hospital last year (then 2 weeks in out-patient therapy), after having a nervous breakdown - related to deep depression, some suicidal thoughts, and high anxiety.

Also, for a better picture of the week I was in the hospital. I wasn't bedridden, attached to an IV or anything. I was able to wander around. Hang out with other patients. Play board games. Engage in social activities. Etc.

During that week, I didn't have my phone, and I rarely interacted with technology, besides watching some TV in the evening in a large room with other people. Even that was socially engaging, because we would all laugh together, and some people would comment on things in the movie or TV.

I came to a better understanding of what was really triggering my depression. My lifestyle, as a dedicated programmer, was killing me slowly.

I would wake up, workout for a bit, and then go to work behind a desk. Where I sit (and stand occasionally) for 8 or so hours per day. Doing almost nothing physically engaging, and socializing at arms length via Slack, email, or Github comments.

Sure, I get lunch with people sometimes. Sure, I go for walks throughout the day. But the work I do is not physically or socially engaging. It's very antisocial, actually.

What has really saved my mind lately has been learning to snowboard. It's physically engaging. Social too, if you go with people - though you'll likely chat with people on chair lifts or in the lodges. It's painful to learn (I broke my tailbone day 1). But it is absolutely worth it. When I'm up on the mountain, I literally CANNOT think about work. If I do, I crash immediately. Even better, as I go through the work week, I look forward to my weekends where I can get up on the mountain, and even occasionally I take a "powder day" if I need to.

As a result, I'm happier. I'm a more productive employee at my job. I get along with my coworkers better, and I am less depressed in general.

My 2 cents. Hope it helps.

On another note. More people deal with this than you may realize. Just look around you. If you're feeling down, or depressed, you don't have to keep it to yourself. When I got back to work after my "forced vacation" in the hospital, a coworker asked me if I was okay and what happened. I mentioned that I had been very depressed, and immediately got a hug. I was like "Oh shit... I didn't realize I worked with actual humans until now"

Also... vitamin D works wonders

Re: If You're Often Angry or Irritable, You May Be Depressed

#124

Post by badpun »

Bhilai wrote: post #101
tomp wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow, I rarely so deeply profoundly and strongly disagree with a statement. I'm fascinated by both how far humans have come, and how peaceful we've become. We haven't had a major war for decades, despite having more and better weapons. Capitalism has unleashed a revolution in technology and society. We're improving lives more rapidly and profoundly than ever, despite there being more and more of us. There are long-ter…

The western countries have not had a major war in a while, thats true but thats not the reality for everyone else. I'd recommend you take a look at pictures of war ravaged Syria and read about children dying of starvation in Libya. Surely some western countries have reaped benefits of capitalism and ease of life with increased influence of technology, but again that is not true for many other parts of the world. I do…

> Surely some western countries have reaped benefits of capitalism and ease of life with increased influence of technology, but again that is not true for many other parts of the world.

I'd say some aspect of technology has got to be everywhere (except isolated tribes) - be it electricity, cars, medicine, plumbing, better seeds and agriculture equipment, cheap factory-made clothes etc.

Re: If You're Often Angry or Irritable, You May Be Depressed

#125

Post by mjevans »

magduf wrote: post #81
tabtab wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. The average human is illogical. It's not easy for Vulcans to live among Ferengies. I don't claim to be "mostly right", but I do claim to use and be able to produce a logical train of thought for recommending courses of actions. I can write it out in detail if and when requested. However, few are really interested in a logical justification: they usually use office politics and their "gut" to decide. Sorry, bu…

If you live around people who resemble Ferengi (that's the proper plural form), then maybe you should look at relocating to a different country where the people don't share the attitudes of the Ferengi.

Tell me, when can we begin construction of a new utopia in international waters with emigration and citizenship requirements that are angled at attracting Vulcan-like types?

What are your plans for getting world nations to recognize the sovereign authority of such a region and for being economically healthy over the long term?

I've never run the numbers, but pre-napkin estimation makes me believe such ventures are too risky, expensive, and rife for scams from 'Ferengi' to be worth exploring.

Re: If You're Often Angry or Irritable, You May Be Depressed

#126

Post by jjtheblunt »

avgDev wrote: post #28

The more you know about the world and tech especially, the more you will get depressed, IMO, maybe I'm wrong. Humans in general are pretty shitty, driven mostly by self-interest. I guess there are people driven by doing good but most people are capable of doing terrible things, especially when in a group. I do suffer from existential depression, I'm generally pretty happy, but as I learn more and live longer my outlo…

I wonder if aerobic exercise, even just a little, would have beneficial side effects. for some, myself included, it tends to cause physical side effects not likely endorphin release that just feels frivolous, like being a playing kid.

Re: If You're Often Angry or Irritable, You May Be Depressed

#127

Post by gdulli »

coldtea wrote: post #113
avgDev wrote: post #28

The more you know about the world and tech especially, the more you will get depressed, IMO, maybe I'm wrong. Humans in general are pretty shitty, driven mostly by self-interest. I guess there are people driven by doing good but most people are capable of doing terrible things, especially when in a group. I do suffer from existential depression, I'm generally pretty happy, but as I learn more and live longer my outlo…

> The more you know about the world and tech especially, the more you will get depressed, IMO, maybe I'm wrong. The problem is that you can't say that today -- depression has to be all about BS "chemical imbalances", and never about the sorry state of the world and/or people's personal affairs. Even something as simple as artificial light or enforced working hours, and commutes are nothing like people have evolved fo…

> The problem is that you can't say that today -- depression has to be all about BS "chemical imbalances"

Really? I googled "what causes depression", first link:

"It's often said that depression results from a chemical imbalance, but that figure of speech doesn't capture how complex the disease is. Research suggests that depression doesn't spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems. It's believed that several of these forces interact to bring on depression."

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-dep...

Re: If You're Often Angry or Irritable, You May Be Depressed

#128

Post by cakebrewery »

rhspeer wrote: post #98

Yup, this was me for 18 years. Doctor had me fixed in about 45 minutes. Massive life improvement all around. Feel dumb about waiting 18 years, so I talk about it to break down the stigma associated with mental health.

Care to elaborate what the fix was?

Re: If You're Often Angry or Irritable, You May Be Depressed

#129

Post by scottlocklin »

cloakandswagger wrote: post #42
kec wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Depression isn't "feeling any way other than perfectly fine", it's feeling so continuously for an extended period of time such that your mental state begins to prevent you from living a normal life. Depression is a real issue for some people, and by trivializing it and blaming big pharma all you're doing is reinforcing the stigma around mental illness which makes it harder for people who really need it to seek help.

17% of the US population self-reported taking some form of psychiatric drug [1]. We're way past the point of truly disturbed people not seeking help due to the stigma of mental illness. Instead, it's cheerfully celebrated and encouraged in a way that I imagine will only stop once 100% of the country is zombified by mind-altering drugs. The pendulum needs to swing back towards self-help and the idea that some discomfo…

Kind of amazing how the modern world survived and even managed to send men to the moon without 17% of the population taking addictive brain melting pharmies that literally nobody understands. What boggles my mind is nobody reflects on this and thinks popping pills is some kind of normal thing.

But hey, having such thoughts is probably a sign of depression.

"There's always soma to calm your anger, to reconcile you to your enemies, to make you patient and long-suffering. In the past you could only accomplish these things by making a great effort and after years of hard moral training. Now, you swallow two or three half-gramme tablets, and there you are. Anybody can be virtuous now. You can carry at least half your morality about in a bottle. Christianity without tears-that's what soma is." World Controller Mustapha Mond

Re: If You're Often Angry or Irritable, You May Be Depressed

#130

Post by magduf »

mjevans wrote: post #125
magduf wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you live around people who resemble Ferengi (that's the proper plural form), then maybe you should look at relocating to a different country where the people don't share the attitudes of the Ferengi.

Tell me, when can we begin construction of a new utopia in international waters with emigration and citizenship requirements that are angled at attracting Vulcan-like types? What are your plans for getting world nations to recognize the sovereign authority of such a region and for being economically healthy over the long term? I've never run the numbers, but pre-napkin estimation makes me believe such ventures are to…

What are you talking about? There's plenty of countries where highly-skilled tech professionals can easily emigrate to.
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