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.

[Unbeliever]

Peppermintbach,

I have visited this forum a few times since the whole corona stuff started. But most posts have not concerned subjects I have felt that I have anything overly worthwhile contributing to. So I have chosen to remain silent.

I'm sorry that you have felt like you are unravelling. That's very sad to hear. I hope that you are able to hold onto at least a few of the critical threads of importance to you and who you are during this time to pull you through a difficult period.

I myself have been fortunate to have found some rare moments of blissful tranquility multiple times over this year for the first time on a very long time. Ironically this is a direct result of the brief periods of quietness the pandemic has brought against the normally endless background cacophony of humanities clumsy footwork. Something for which I am extremely grateful.

Our planet is having a brief moment to catch its breath for as far as I can tell the first time in my lifetime. The air quality has noticeably improved in many places all over the world. Waterways are cleaner. Many species that survive on the brink of unexistence are having some of their most successful breeding seasons since records began being kept. At night the clarity of the stars has been so remarkable lately, it's like someone upgraded the entire atmosphere to 4k high def. It is astoundingly beautiful to see. Even the weather itself seems to have been more friendly and generous generally.

These so-called "trivialities" have gone a long way to warming my heart to the point that lately it actually doesn't ache all of the time. Which is not something I have been able to say for many years now without feeling completely disingenuous and like a fraud.

Unfortunately this is seemingly coming to an end sooner than I would have liked. Already the first tentative steps on the way to "business as usual" are being taken. So like most things it cannot last... and unfortunately most likely my feelings of tranquility and therefore the "ache" that will follow in its absence.

This "erosion" of personal characteristics in order to fit in with others is probably the most common thing "normal" people do to hide. To the degree that most never know who they actually are at all. Don't smooth out your rough edges Pepper. I wouldn't recognise you without them.

and you're not alone... Just geographically incohesive with many of those who are actually "with you". Of which I perhaps am one.

Take care of yourself...

[blondguy]

Hi Unbeliever

I just noticed your post to Pepper and thought I would say hello...I hear you loud and clear when you mentioned about 'tranquility' during this period....It has been 'peaceful' for many of us..I couldnt say 'blissfull' as there are so many people that are in pain at the moment which is why I am a volunteer here I guess

The satellite pics of clear skies over some of the worlds most polluted cities are staggering to see...I never thought I would see pictures as wonderful

I would never let my personal characteristics 'fit in' with others like yourself UB...I dont subscribe to the concept of 'normality' as we are all different in the first place

Stay well UB

Paul

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Unbeliever (& a wave to all),

Oh wow, I wasn’t expecting a reply, but thank you so much for making some time for me 🙂

Yes, the environment has been improving lately. While I haven’t seen it myself, the sky and stars look more or less the same where I am, I have read articles online & seen photos about the environmental benefits. That has definitely been an unintended positive consequence...

I’m glad it has warmed your heart, giving you some moments of genuine peace that you haven’t felt in a long time. That is very powerful and nurturing, and perhaps sorely needed. Some rare moments of respite for you...

Yes, you’re right, the Earth is healing & that’s beautiful & important, even if only temporarily. Although I think it came at a heavy price...

People have lost jobs & income, mental health issues & loneliness is on the rise, people are confined to homes in DV situations, psychological toll on healthcare & frontline workers, disruptions to learning, toll on WFH workers, reduction in face-to-face connection in daily life, etc.

Sigh, I wish we could obtain the same environment benefits, but I just wish it wasn’t because of COVID-19 or at such a heavy price...

Regardless, I know that for you there will be a grieving period/a sense of loss as we go “back to business”, but are we really?

I think the way in which we work & interact with each other will probably be very different for a while....

You know, Anais Nin once very famously said:

I am lonely, yet not everybody will do. I don’t know why, some people fill the gaps but other people emphasise my loneliness.

I suppose in a way, she said it all...there are connections and then there are meaningful connections...& therein lies the difference.

I’m not trying to be “normal” or “not normal”, but simply seeking a meaningful & reciprocal understanding from somewhere...someone...It’s reciprocated understanding & expressive freedom that I’m seeking, rather than necessarily fitting in or not.

I find people ask me to open up then if I test the waters, I am told that I’m intimidating...they like the idea of me opening up, but not the reality. I’ve found the wishy-washy, unnatural sweetness is what most people seem to prefer...

Thank you for reading my drivel. You take care of yourself too 🙂

Pepper

[palemoonlightt]

Unbeliever I am a believer I am also a professional and cannot help myself not the many doctors feeling the same way. I am not depressed. However what I see and hear gas no solution no answer. I go to the site it says don't be alone I look around me and I am . I have others I could talk to but they have no answers. I am resourceful creative and spiritual but in the face of the daily information it doesn't help in fact it makes me.mire inclined to believe this world is flawed we are flawed and this will not change. I am mindful but not an I stupid or blind to the horror greed and control. People come to be for help and I agree with them. I am tired and just tired.

[palemoonlightt]

Unbeliever I am a believer I am also a professional and cannot help myself and not the many doctors feeling the same way. I am not depressed. However what I see and hear has no solution no answer. I go to the site it says dont be alone I look around me and I am . I have others I could talk to but they have no answers. I am resourceful creative and spiritual but in the face of the daily information it dosent help in fact it makes me.more inclined to believe this world is flawed we are flawed and this will not change. I am mindful but not stupid or blind to the horror greed and control. People come to me for help and I agree with them. I am tired and just tired.

[Moonstruck]

Pepper...I just HAD to reply to you. I have not been on this thread for ages, but something you said I so very much relate to. Perhaps I have been trying to find the words to express this all my life....and here you are practically saying it for me....."people ask me to open up, then if I test the waters, I am told that I am intimidating; they like the idea of my opening up, but not the reality.

I've found the unnatural wishy-washy sweetness is what people seem to prefer." Thank you for writing this....x

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Moon (& a wave to Unbeliever & all),

That made me smile. I’m glad my words resonated. You don’t need me to tell you of course, but I hope you hold onto that intensity, wildness and passion of yours...

Pepper xoxo

[Unbeliever]

I've recently read up about how so many species worldwide have had the most successful mating and breeding periods since humans started regularly keeping records of them.

The amount of species that have shifted from "critically endangered in the wild" to merely "threatened" over the past 12 months is mind blowing when you read the statistics. A few years longer like this and many could possibly have come back in enough numbers to not be in danger of going extinct any time soon at all.

Just 1 year of "being restricted in regards to how badly we as a species can behave overall" has had an incredibly positive impact in such a short amount of time... more than many specialist researchers could have ever predicted. These species obviously just need us to back off for a bit and give them a little breathing room to so easily start to bounce back to the insane degree that they have.

And this means of course that since we may "return to normal" sometime this year... this is not necessary an "all good" thing when viewed in this context unfortunately.

I find it interesting that regarding many things "what we don't do" can be more important and beneficial than "what we DO do".

[Moonstruck]

Hey Unbeliever...

haven't seen you around for ages...are you still there somewhere? I recall you put some very thought provoking and eloquent posts on another thread of mine....have you any more words of wisdom or even whimsy for me?

How are you spending your time today on this public holiday? ... Moonstruck

[aegidius]

"they like the idea of me opening up, but not the reality..." certainly sums up my experience. We are told by psych professionals that intimacy is mutual disclosure; you disclose something, they disclose something in return, and trust is slowly built. In theory at least. In practice, what happens if you have an inner life that nobody gives a toss about?