Is depression a natural reaction to an insane world?

[Unbeliever]

This is a thought I have been pondering for a while.

The default to view depression as "something wrong", or a "brain chemical imbalance" or as "a disease" or something that "needs to be fixed" or requires "medication" or "therapy" appears to be the most common response of practically everyone. 

From doctors, to psychiatrists, to therapists, to the general population, to the depressed individuals themselves... the universal belief appears to be that "the person needs to get help".

But what if... the living in depressed state is correct? What if it isn't an "imbalance" or isn't something "wrong"? What if being depressed is the only natural state to be in for an intelligent, empathetic, compassionate, informed, thinking individual to exist in the current state of our world?

What if to NOT be depressed about is the true indication of mental sickness?

I'm not saying that being depressed is fun in any way... most people on this forum would be well aware that it sucks. But that is not what I'm saying. 

What I mean is... could existing in a state of depression be completely natural for someone living in a place where so many things are obviously terrible... both on a personal level and in the world as a whole?

My reasons for this perspective are numerous. Far too many to write in only 2500 words. But basically...

The real world is an extremely depressing place for any person that cares at all about anything outside of themselves.

Eg. If you care about animals... the reality is many beautiful species are already lost forever, many others are so close to the verge of extinction that even if everyone worldwide decided to do everything they could to save them... they would still be lost. At home there are people that still buy people animals as christmas gifts, refuse to desex their pets, the massive amount of pets put down in pounds annually. There is backyard animal cruelty, the dog racing industry using live bait, shooting race horses with legs, women's hormonal treatments for menapause, the meat industry, birds choking on our plastic half a world away, overfishing. The list goes on and on.

It is reality and it is depressing. Care about animals and feeling "depressed" about it IS correct. And that is one tiny subject in a plethora of subjects.

3 billion people in starving poverty, the water wars, religious fanatics, corrupt governments, womens rights violations, slavery, wars, child rape, etc etc

It's the people that are not depressed that worry me.

[ewart]

Hello I, Human ... and I found your post spirit lifting particularly the feeling verses thinking analogy. Perhaps Descartes quote of "I think, therefore I am" could be tweaked to read ... I feel, therefore I am. I'm all at sea trying to harness my mental health disaster, but I did enjoy your words. Cheers.

[Just Sara]

Hi I, Human;

I'm glad you decided to join us; as you've said, intellectual caring types seem to be harnessed with a propensity for depression...so welcome fellow traveller!

You've put forward some strong thoughts which I personally found interesting and informative. It's nice to talk about depression from this perspective instead of its tormenting effects. That's not to say I don't want to engage as a support or ask for help either. It's different, that's all.

Depression vs apathy; you say antidepressants bought on apathy. I'm sorry about that. I can't say I've experienced apathy except in my workplace, but that was environmental. I still wouldn't wish it upon anyone.

What AD's did for me was help me 'think' instead of feel. Once I started them, my life began to make sense because my mind was able to process information effectively. Prior to this emotions took me wholly and solely.

Not only have I accepted my intelligence as ok now, my ability to understand complex concepts actually thrills me. Yes, I still 'feel' my world at times, but now I understand 'why'. That's a level playing field in my view.

Growing up, being an intelligent 'girl' was asking for trouble. I watched as girls were picked on or treated differently so it's no wonder I grew into adulthood with a healthy dose of 'don't go there' syndrome; stay hormonally unstable and 'average'. Even now, if I know the answer to something, I balk at talking in case I'm seen as a 'know it all'. Sigh...it still hurts.

Anyway, I digress. "The world is a comedy to those who think; a tragedy to those who feel" "I think, therefore I am" or "I feel, therefore I am", (thanks Ewart!) all worthy and relevant. Isn't it ironic that most on here join because they can't stop 'thinking'?

Hey Paul;

Thanks for the complements and nice words. I must say, you've put forward some great opinions too. You have this 'way' of using minimalistic simplicity really effective. 🙂 Here's me with my 2500 words...Ha!

Ewart;

For someone so gifted, 19 posts is far too limited. I want to read more ok? I'm also sorry you've found yourself in desperate times. You know we're here to support and encourage. It'd be nice if you could find the time to chat/vent or just create more magic as you have on here.

Hey Dory! (9NL)

Them and us is provocative; is this depression related or more a view of our world? Or maybe both? Do tell... (Keep it clean hun 🙂

Miles of smiles...

Sara xo

[Guest_128]

To dear Just Sara,

I have joined this site to yes try and better myself,as I have mentioned many times on BBC that I do not write,spell or explain myself very well. I unlike you and many others don't have the words to explain myself. I am sorry if I have offended you or others, I will for now on be totally boring because I can't find the words. Oh I'm sorry for being judged.

one last thing,don't call me hon when you are telling me what to do.

Later

[Just Sara]

Hey 9NL;

You've read an awful lot in my 4 words. I apologise if my last comment offended. It was actually meant as humour as you can drop the f bomb here and there...that's all.

I use the term 'hun' as a means of keeping things personal and casual, or my way of letting people know I'm sensitive/approachable. If you don't like it that's fine. It's off the table...done!

And, you're anything but boring; that's a complement too btw. I'm actually genuinely interested in your views of 'them and us'. How you write that's up to you. This is supposed to be a non judgemental and safe forum for people with anxiety/depression.

I don't understand how you came to the conclusion I didn't think you expressed yourself well enough. It certainly wasn't meant that way.

Please don't forget you have the option of reporting my post to moderators. We're all governed by the same rules.

If it's any consolation, I'd still like to read your views.

Respectfully...Sara

[Guest_128]

Ok Sara, I am sorry for being cranky. I shouldn't of taken my frustrations out on you.

To be honest I am probably jealous that you can find the right words to talk the talk.

Anyway please forgive me Hun.😂

Later

[Just Sara]

Hey 9NL;

You've pleased me and given me a well earned chuckle. Thankyou...

Conflict, especially with people on here tends to upset me. I don't do 'anger' very well, so I'm really happy you're back on board. 🙂

I want so much to express how world events effect me personally re depression. However I've been posting most of the day and am too tired to write.

It's important to me, so I'll be back as Arnie so eloquently says.

Night y'all...

Sara

[bridgeridoo]

Unbeliever,

This has been one of my biggest struggles in the last 18 months!

Of course, I love life. No matter what you believe in, I love how unbelievable it is that we even exist, and the sun and the moon, and the earth, and every organism all works so incredibly in tune with eachother, let alone how crazy human development is. I feel so lucky to be been born in Australia, to the supportive, relatively well off family I have, to have been given the education I received and every opportunity I've had.

I know that when compared to history, society as a whole isn't even at it's worst right now, but man does it feel like it. War, Terror, hatred, media cycles, corporate green, social inequity, poverty, displacement are all so major. And even if we deal with that we have major environmental destruction and climate change to think about.

But then, I was able to start thinking that there's something special about me. I care. YOU care. and apparently, we're in the minority. It meant a few fights with friends who think I'm "thinking too much" as they buy more and more, thinking less and less. But in the end, is it bad to feel empathy? I don't think so, I love that about myself.

Still, I felt (as in, a month ago), that I I was being weighed down. I couldn't see a way to ever feel happiness in a world where all this was going on. But it's too much, it's too much weight on my shoulders.

I have roughly 60 years left on this planet. I've been very lucky to have the life I've had so far, but that's it, its luck, it's not my fault I was born in Australia when other people weren't; that's not to say its bad to care, but I think I have to stop feeling guilty for having a good life, for feeling happiness.

I also realised that I can't fix all the world. I just can't. But I do have some power. I can choose a career that gives back to the world. I can have an active voice to people with much more power than I do (politicians, petitions to CEOs etc), I have power to influence and help people in my life, and I have power as a consumer. One step at a time, I'm committing to making decisions that reflect this; Minimizing social & envio impact of things I buy, making interactions with others count, be more involved.

And starting to learn to be ok with the fact that that is maybe ALL I can do; make the most of my life, strive to be a good person, be grateful for what we have and not let it go to waste, and allow yourself to be happy. x

[Just Sara]

Absolutely inspirational post Bridgeridoo!

Hi and welcome to the BB forum;

I hope writing your post has impacted on you as much as it has me. You're obviously young and facing a pretty dismal future for your generation; as futures go that is.

To be confronted by this, then put forward so many positives 'is' inspirational at its best. We need writers like you on here. You have a gift, and putting it to use on pages such as this will indeed reach a good audience; an appreciative one.

Today I was diagnosed with cancer. My outlook and mindset aren't the best, but I read your post and was moved. I was planning on 'read only' today, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to let you know how I feel.

As futures go, there's only today. There'll never be another one like it. Learning to live in the moment, and treat each day as if it's the only one, will ensure the best future possible. That's all we can do.

Sure, have a five year plan, but remind yourself that surviving each day with passion and self care, is a precious way to live. You seem to have that in spades, so I wish you well...thankyou 🙂

All my best...

Sara x

[Peppermintbach]

Hi,

Sara- I accidentally stumbled upon your post when I was just casually browsing. The "C" word stood out and I didn't know what to do other than cry.

Sorry, I don't want to take over this thread but I just wanted to say...something...and I didn't want to post on your thread as I wasn't sure if you wanted to talk about it "there" yet.

The funny- in a completely unfunny way- was that I was only thinking earlier this week that if anything happened to you, we wouldn't know what on earth happened. Except I was thinking more along the lines of the "H" word: heart attack. Call it intuition or call it my paranoia and worrying tendencies but your diagnosis was kind of eerie...

All I can say is this...I don't wish to hijack this thread (and I doubt you want to go into details about it here anyway) but once again, people love you more than you know.

I know that I can't do much. I wish that I could do more but the small part I can do is make sure that I tell you how much you're cared about and loved in each post that I address to you. I hope you can fight this cancer.

With that in mind, I hope you fight when you need to, rest when you need and laugh when you need to. I'm so grateful to have met you here on BB and please know that you have helped me and enriched my life and made me feel deeply cared for.

Know that you are loved,

Pepper xoxo

Unbeliever- apologies for going off topic. I just needed to get that out of my system. Hope that's okay with you. Thanks for this fantastic thread 🙂

Kind thoughts,

Pepper

[quirkywords]

Unbeliever this is an interesting thread. I have often wondered the same thing. Depression being a easonable response to the strange world.Sorry too to have gone off topic.

Sara, this may sound weird but I just saw this thread title and it intrigued me. Then i read your post and then Pepper- what a coincidence. i want to echo everything Pepper said. I am so honoured to have met you on BB and you have helped me and many others more than you now. take care of yourself.

Sending kind loving thoughts

Quirky.