What types of people get depressed.

[Ginnygin]

May be a silly question. But I do sometimes wonder if my personality type plays a big part in me having / suffering from depression. I riddled with self guilt, sadness and a feeling of hopelessness.

Question, if I was the type of person who could rip someone off and not lose a single nights sleep or run a business that deliberately takes advantage of vulnerable people, would that put me in a category of people less likely to suffer depression. Then of course would be the question of weather I would change to become this type of person, which I'm guessing would make me more in control of my thoughts as this type of person would be more motivated than I am now. I know it's a very strange way at looking at this but I'm sort of wondering if the type of person I am makes me more likely to suffer from this self destructive disease.

[blondguy]

Hello Ginny

Great thread question.....not a silly one at all

Just working backwards from your last sentence if thats okay.......Depression is not a self destructive illness....yes it feels like it for sure but isnt

I understand where you are coming from as this is my 22nd year with depression which fired up just after six months in the family court just trying to get my fortnightly weekend contact visits with my daughter....I pushed myself way to far and it 'triggered' my depression

There are many many ways people can have this awful illness....It can also be partially genetic as well as major life stressors when we were children too

To answer your question about depression effecting a person that had low morals is a hard one.

I have studied anxiety/depression for nearly 40 years and I do know that having a 'Type A' personality can make us vulnerable as 'type A' people usually set very high goals and strive for perfection....It sounds good but it only makes us fall even further when we have a problem....I have being to dump my 'Type A' persona since 1983 when I was 23. It takes a very long time to change what has made us vulnerable initially

You dont have to feel this way Ginny....and I understand it feels bad. Please dont do what I did and defer seeing my GP for 7 years for the help I needed. This only exacerbated my condition

I hope some of this has been of help Ginny

I really hope you can stick around the forums if you wish 🙂 Any questions are more than welcome

My kindest thoughts

Paul

[geoff]

Hello Ginnygin, you have asked a very difficult question where statistics may prove one way or another, but what happens if you are a person who is included in these stats., does this make you slot into what the end result says?

Why did I have depression for over 20 years and my twin has never been depressed, (thank goodness)because if it was the other way around, I would be beside myself, both raised in the same circumstances!

I have known and worked for people who only think of themselves, their profits and have no care what so ever about making their decisions, so on the outside, they appear to be no different, but how they feel internally I don't know.

It's a strange world we all live in where some kids can fall to depression by the way they are brought up, whereas we have people left with a $1 to their name but end up to be a millionaire.

The answer to your question is yes and no. Geoff.

[Ginnygin]

I believe my mum had depression even though she was ever diagnosed it it. I also have at least two of my siblings that diagnosed with it. So yes, I do believe that genetic has a part. I never had a happy childhood due to a number of factors. From the age of two, we as a family moved around a lot. I never got to spend a full year in a school until grade / year three. This resulted in not only stress but set me behind which resulted in me hating school and often left me feeling embarrassed. Fortunately I managed to catch up by the time I hit form / year 7. Depression has been with me for a fair period off and on during my lifetime. I see is as being self destructive in that at times when it strikes, it's kills off any motivation at I have and I seem to be in a battle within my mind. Eg: think positive versus think negative. Be full of enthusiasm versus being uninterested. What I'm finding ATM is two days of being deeply depressed will undo any good that I had achieved in the days before. I believe a stronger person would find a way to power though this but for some reason, I do not. It's a roller coaster ride that I want off from.

[RandR]

Hi @Ginnygin

Thanks so much for your post. As the age old saying goes, "the only stupid question is the one you don't ask".

I'd have to agree with @blondguy regarding depression not being a self destructive illness 🙂 That aside, I'd love to connect and talk more and be of some help if possible.

Sadness, self guilt and hopelessness. Sounds familiar. In fact, they were constant feelings of mine when I suffered major depression for 12 years in the past. Suffice to say, the feelings were a combination of bad moves and decisions that were all and completely in my control. The other half, decisions and bad moves people made against me that were not in my control. We are after all, a product of our environment. Out of curiosity and if you don't mind me asking, how would you define yourself as a person? From a characteristic standpoint?

I can relate regarding a difficult childhood. From primary school I was bullied and beaten up for being brown and at the forefront of extreme racism, to the employment whereby employment was hard due to this. Oh, my father also left me and my two sisters and mum penniless and just upped and left without even a goodbye (come to think about it, I haven't seen or heard from my dad is over 12 years), was abandoned by all my closest friends and even family of which i have very little of). Alas, major thoughts of depression and suicidal thoughts.

It took not only time, but solitude, better decisions, realization and acceptance of having depression and somewhat, embracing it along with a few other things for me to overcome mine. I had it for over 12 years and it's been almost a year since I've had it and can say that I now control it versus it controlling me.

Those days of feeling depressed can undo a lot of work and the week. But it never lasts and I feel, won't define you. If I'm to be honest @Ginnygin, you sound like a strong character to me and someone who can endure and come through strong. I've always been a somewhat strong person, character, extrovert, typical Leo and somewhat leader in everything I've done. That being said, depression has knocked on my door and was a resident for many, many years. It's not about being a 'stronger person', it's about acceptance and acknowledging that depression can strike at any time, but you're never alone and can always strike back 🙂 It's not a fun roller coaster at all, but it's not one that you are on alone. We are here wit you, and together, we can shape the rest of the journey 🙂

[pawan]

Hi Ginnygin

This is a question I have often asked myself. From my experience depression effects people who are kind at heart, think about what they are doing, don't want to hurt other people, people who have a conscience.

I have noticed these qualities in a lot of people including my self. Of course this wouldn't be benchmark but sometimes people do fall into this category.

In a way people who suffer from depression (not all) are more analytical than the average person always weighting up the pro's and con's of situations before acting upon them.

Hope this helps...