Here is a hack I've found to steer focus away from depression. Whatever your goal is, you have to begin with an understanding you are going to fail. So you won't be depressed since you already know that you are failing or have failed to begin with. Hence, you can focus on the right things to not fail as much. This would help you keep your feet on the ground so you can act small to do things that matter. It may sound silly but, at least, it may help you stay focused.
Startup depression
21–26 of 26 posts
Re: Startup depression
#22I have multiple issues with this. First of all, depression through stresses and clinical depressions are very different and the introductory paragraph is extremely shallow, brushing all over this. Many mental issues can lead to a comorbide depression. Secondly, being depressed and being suicidal are related, the first often comes before the second, but not the same. By putting suicide hotlines front and center, the i…
The problem is that people who create startups tend to be highly analytical, logical, rational, intelligent in many facets with the perspective that their startup is their whole world and the whole world falls apart if their startup falls apart. They are not the kind that can be helped by mental health care professionals in a traditional sense. Given the objective outcome, a mental health care professional can either…
Do you have an understanding about the options mental health care has available?
It does not matter that people that create startups are logical, etc. This doesn't mean science-based medical health won't help. From what I have observed, mental health care includes things like medicines to help with inbalances as well as offering things like groups, help with stress management and coping skills for a person's situation. It isn't about changing your world view, it is about helping you not be miserable.
All of which are individualized to the person's needs as possible. 'Do what works and discard the rest'.
As far as 'extending beyond the boundary of humanity today' ... that's a bit diffficult to even think about if I'm having trouble convincing myself that I do, indeed, need to shower and cook food and go to work today. Research? Have to have concentration for that. The therapist isn't there to research everything, just to get you to the point that you can research yourself and help you if needed.
Re: Startup depression
#23I guess often the feeling of despair comes from working super hard but still looking at the jarring amount of work ahead. It's not required that you know an answer to everything and finish it all by tomorrow but it's a general sense of running in the desert searching for spots of water here and there, you are worried when you come across long stretches where theres not even a puddle of water and you begin to panic and start asking all sorts of questions like, maybe you've been walking in circles or you start seeing skeletons where those who have walked before you lie. You are getting thirsty but instead of resting you just keep pressing on because the anxiety is slowly setting in. Keep this up and suddenly you aren't able to move very far without considerable amount of effort. No water in sight.
Re: Startup depression
#24Depressed? No problem, this app will solve all your problems! https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6754953
I know you mean well, but this isn't necessarily an appropriate place or method for advertisement. It's a serious thing, and insinuating that your app will/can 'solve' other's depression can be seen as belittling others' emotions.
As a side note, preventing suicide is very different than supporting someone with depression. Suicidal thoughts are cause for major alarm, and call for emergency intervention. Depression is typically a longer, slower ordeal. It still certainly warrants seeking help, but the kind of help needed isn't something that an app can provide (at least from my personal perspective). But what an app _can_ provide is a way to find help and connect to those sources easily, whether it be in case of a crisis or just simplifying a process which can be overwhelming, particularly for someone dealing with depression for the first time.
Just some thoughts for you, and hopefully an explanation for the downvotes. You have an opportunity to help people with this project, and I hope you do well with it. Best of luck.
Re: Startup depression
#25Earlier quoted context omitted.
The problem is that people who create startups tend to be highly analytical, logical, rational, intelligent in many facets with the perspective that their startup is their whole world and the whole world falls apart if their startup falls apart. They are not the kind that can be helped by mental health care professionals in a traditional sense. Given the objective outcome, a mental health care professional can either…
Do you have an understanding about the options mental health care has available? It does not matter that people that create startups are logical, etc. This doesn't mean science-based medical health won't help. From what I have observed, mental health care includes things like medicines to help with inbalances as well as offering things like groups, help with stress management and coping skills for a person's situatio…
I was talking about people who have 'stress induced depression because they have huge goals and occasionally need to be strong enough to be their own motivation because it seems like begging for other people to tell them what they want to hear' mental thing. I didn't call it an illness, I only know that I've experienced it.
I can't ask people to tell me I'm going to be the greatest computer scientist just to get myself to code or learn something new every day. I just have to dedicate my life to it until I am proud of what I am and what I strive to be.
That said, the right medication helps. So can having people to talk to. I don't like paying to have people to talk to about my people theories, or explain category theory to, because that's what I wind up doing in therapy.
Re: Startup depression
#26I'm curious - why are there constantly posts about depression on HN? Is there something about the programmer/startup lifestyle thats more accepting of depressed people?
I don't know. Some people even pick nick names related to mental issues, go figure.