is depression self indulgence?

[tattoomytoe]

i ask because i have herad persons say this about depression and i was wondering what some you think? i personally suffer from depression- even though i have been told that "i have nothing to be depressed about"

 

is that just what the folks that do not understand it say?

[BlueLP]

There are so many contributing factors to depression that I think it's silly to trace it to one cause or another. I'm never sure exactly what people mean by self-indulgence, but we know that depressed people tend to withdraw from others and not involve themselves in their normal amount of "self-indulgent" activities. So from that persepctive it'd be the opposite and untrue.

 

If the term means that people tend to ruminate much more on their own condition and thoughts, then it is true. But that isn't being self-indulgent, it's just another symptom of the condition that maintains the vicious cycle.

 

Lots of people are depressed despite having no objective reason why they should be...in other people's eyes they might even "have it good." But it's not about that, depression can happen for many reasons. And calling someone self-indulgent seems like it's just going to feed the feelings of guilt and worthlessness depressed people already have.

 

So anyway, I think it's a stupid thing to say, pretty irresponsible. It reflects a lack of understanding about depression. That's my opinion.

[tattoomytoe]

thank you! that is what i think. also what you said about titling it a self indulgent act...well i do feel more like a inferior person when i am told that...might as well say i am egotistical, selfish, and spoiled too!

 

which is contrary to the reality.

[magda]

I used to be depressed. I still get that way, but not to the same degree. Sometimes it's comfy being that way. In order to think your way out of depression you have to stop allowing yourself the feeling that all is hopeless and think about ways you can actually improve whatever you think is the matter and think realistically.

 

The problem is that when you're depressed, you don't give a crap about any of that. So if it is self-indulgent, it's a minor point. I think it's a cycle that you sometimes have to go through and until you're near the end of the tunnel no amount of cognitive thinking skills is going to help because it's a mental state. That didn't make a lot of sense... but basically what I mean is that hearing that it's self-indulgent doesn't make things any better. At a young age when I was very depressed, hearing that what I was was simply "selfish" did not help me at all. In retrospect, I think it's a very true statement.

[johan]

I wouldn’t really define it as self-indulgence. I think it’s a natural reaction to circumstances. I think it comes from doubt and confusion. I think it comes from having life violate your expectations in some way that you can’t really come to terms with. Suddenly the world isn’t working the way you thought it should and now there seems to be no real truth. Maybe that’s just how my depression works. I need a foundation of belief and some “truths” on which I can build my life. Even when bad things happen, I’m pretty much OK as long as my foundation is still there.

 

It probably wouldn’t hurt to distinguish between event-driven depression in people who are otherwise pretty happy and clinical depression, which may just be how some people are built.

 

My understanding is that clinical depression is chemical and uncontrollable and some are pre-disposed to it and the only way out is by using pills. It may be chemical, but I believe that the chemicals are the brain’s response to the thoughts we’re having. It isn’t based on beliefs or events or anything in particular. It’s just a malfunction.

 

Depression in the non-clinical case can be somewhat self-indulgent. It’s kind of a safety net and people can just stay there because it’s safe. It’s easier to feel defeated and miserable than it is to be continually lifting yourself higher. Life can be pretty depressing after all. I’m not always strong enough to rebuild my foundation and to find new “truths” that can support my decisions.

 

That’s the assessment of a guy who has never formally studied the subject.

[HokeyReligions]

There is a HUGE HUGE HUGE difference between being depressed and being diagnosed with depression.

 

Recurrent Depressive Disorder (also knows as Depression) is an illness diagnosed by doctors and treatable with medication and therapy.

 

Few people understand this and many people will claim that they suffer from depression when they don't, just because they have felt down about something for a long time. It can lead to depression if a person doesn't come out of it on their own. True Depression seldom (if ever) goes away on its own. Someone who is feeling depressed about an event or decision can 'snap themselves out of it' by changing their focus and attitude. A person suffering from the disease of depression cannot do this. That's like telling someone to snap themselves out of dislexia! Here is an excellent article describing depression in laymans terms. Don't worry about the length of the article - it reads easily.

 

http://www.mental-health-matters.com/articles/article.php?artID=159

 

Someone calling it self-indulgence is simply ignorant of the facts about depression. Give them a print out of the article I linked--that ought to explain it!

[johan]

Yeah, that's what I meant. I wonder if that avatar could be part of a treatment. I always feel happier after I look at it for a while.

[HokeyReligions]

http://www.depression-screening.org/screeningtest/screeningtest.htm

 

On line screening for depression. This is not a substitute for a clinical diagnosis - but it is interesting. There is more information on this website about depression.

[LyricalZ]

Why do people with perfectly fine lives feel depressed?

 

I'm gonna put a spin on this one.

 

Ever thought that it may relate to issue in Past Life?