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Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

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Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#171

Post by rtkaratekid »

dawg- wrote: post #156

Here's an important thing from the article: >it's most likely to occur in mildly depressed people—those suffering from major depression, by contrast, are more likely to suffer from larger distortions in their thinking. I wonder if we have overly-pathologized the regular melancholy that comes with every day life? If mildly depressed people actually see the world realistically, maybe nothing is actually wrong with them…

I agree with this. At some point during my "struggle" with depression, I realized it's just who I am. Severe depression should be treated, sure. But this "mild depression" in my mind is more of a personality trait than a clinical disorder.

It took me 8 years of coping with "depression" and earning an undergraduate degree in neuroscience to realize this. At this point I actually wouldn't give up this personality trait even if I had the option to. It's become an asset rather than a liability.

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#172

Post by ok_coo »

rocelot wrote: post #119
rtkaratekid wrote: post #102

I'm not so depressed these days (thankfully) but this "realism" does tend to manifest is different ways. I'm very self-conscious about not dragging people down because some thoughts that I think daily that are normal for me, seem to be absolutely psychologically crippling for people who previously hadn't, or didn't want to think such things. Usually when I do express these thoughts they're in the form of semi-dark hu…

The other day someone was remarking how quickly one's luck can change (for the better). I don't disagree but for whatever reason my response was, "yah, life is full of ups and downs, the trick is to die on one of the upticks". I thought it was hilarious. They thought I was morbid and cynical. Go figure!

A saying I used at my old job was, "It could be worse, you could be face-down in a ditch somewhere." I thought it was funny and meant to improve people's perspective. Most people thought it was morbid too, so I had to stop.

Personally, I think a little dark humor helps people get by but that's just me. :)

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#173

Post by buboard »

gwd wrote: post #70
buboard wrote: post #8

Could it be that people who see the world Realistically, get depressed?

One possible explanation of results: 1. The world is, in fact, pretty messed up a lot of the time. 2. There are different ways to deal with it: 2a. Don't deal well with it; get depressed 2b. Denial: Refuse to face up to how messed up the world is. 2c. Deal with the world in some other way that is neither denial nor depression. Presumably in their study 2a and 2c would both score more "realistic" and 2b would score le…

The two (realism/knowledge and depression) seem to be in a feedback loop. Probably children are happier because they dont know enough yet. And fools/ignoramuses - that conventional wisdom has some merit. It's a question though why humans would evolve to become inert in the face of knowledge. Who knows, it may be an advantage.

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#174

Post by odyssey7 »

dawg- wrote: post #156

Here's an important thing from the article: >it's most likely to occur in mildly depressed people—those suffering from major depression, by contrast, are more likely to suffer from larger distortions in their thinking. I wonder if we have overly-pathologized the regular melancholy that comes with every day life? If mildly depressed people actually see the world realistically, maybe nothing is actually wrong with them…

The way this is framed, an underlying question is whether medicine should make normal lives better, or just treat disease. I would definitely say yes to making normal lives better in addition to treating disease.

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#175

Post by rtkaratekid »

pknopf wrote: post #95

People may think I'm depressed, but I'm the polar opposite. I'm always discussing what it means to be depressed, only in an effort to find what is the will to live. I find it interesting. "When driving on the interstate, each driver has the power, with the flick of a wrist, to end it all. But they don't. Why not? What prevents people from flicking? What's worth living for?" My wife wants me to stop talking like that,…

I think this stuff aaaaaall the time. I'm not crazy or anything, I just find it interesting!

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#176

Post by trts »

rtkaratekid wrote: post #102

I'm not so depressed these days (thankfully) but this "realism" does tend to manifest is different ways. I'm very self-conscious about not dragging people down because some thoughts that I think daily that are normal for me, seem to be absolutely psychologically crippling for people who previously hadn't, or didn't want to think such things. Usually when I do express these thoughts they're in the form of semi-dark hu…

"If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh. Otherwise, they will kill you." Not sure who this is attributed to but I remember it not infrequently.

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#177

Post by MarioONroids »

shijie wrote: post #117
gfs78 wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most startup founders are rich, they are just gambling with some money they have. Akin to a salaried worker gambling a small amount of their salary in a night at the casino.

Do you have any references for most startup founders being rich? Qualitatively this does not align with my experiences at all with almost any founder of a company I’ve ever met. Almost all of them risked everything.

Having a house and a car, or even retirement savings, that can be risked on a startup makes you rich. Even if that is everything you have, you are still rich.

Find me the startup founder who has less than $100 in savings, no car, no house, no retirement funds, less than $1k in total assets, and whom is the richest persons in their family and network of friends.

Then you may have a point.

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#178

Post by MadWombat »

dawg- wrote: post #156

Here's an important thing from the article: >it's most likely to occur in mildly depressed people—those suffering from major depression, by contrast, are more likely to suffer from larger distortions in their thinking. I wonder if we have overly-pathologized the regular melancholy that comes with every day life? If mildly depressed people actually see the world realistically, maybe nothing is actually wrong with them…

"It's okay, normal, even necessary to feel sad and pissed off at the world sometimes. It doesn't automatically mean something is wrong with you."

But this is not what mild depression is like. It is when feeling sad and pissed off at the world is the baseline. It is OK to feel sad, but I kinda wish I felt something else a bit more often.

Re: Depressed People See the World More Realistically (2017)

#179

Post by cryoshon »

rtkaratekid wrote: post #165
cryoshon wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

keeping my realist comments to myself took me more than two decades to become competent at. it'll take me another two decades to master. the trick is to understand that all people live in a marginal headspace where engagement with the nature of the world is heavily filtered and limited so that their psychology can continue to mostly function on a day to day basis. this is true whether you are a "realist" or "pessimis…

Piercing the veil... what an appropriate turn of phrase. I resonate a lot with your third paragraph. I also think it can be rude and unnecessary to expose people to this paradigm if they're not ready. It's a bad analogy, but it's almost like poison. If you're used to some types of poison, they wont cause injury, but if you're not... it could kill you. Trouble is, in my mind life is filled with these poisons and peopl…

re: poisons, it isn't a bad analogy because you're referencing the dose-response curve.

many of our medicines are "poisons" in the sense that if you take them in a large enough dose, they will kill you. but a small dose can be therapeutic, in the right context.

likewise, a dose of reality-groundedness is a necessity to navigate life correctly. some people can tolerate the side effects of higher doses better than others, however.

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