Countless studies have shown that people who suffer from depression have more accurate world views than nondepressed people. Depressed people do not nurture the cheering illusion that they can control the course of their lives. And they understand, all too acutely, the basic conditions of existence: that their lifespan is just a brief blip in the cold sweep of history, that suffering is real and ongoing, that they and all the people they love are going to die. That outlook is known as depressive realism. Depressed people might be unhappy, but–when it comes to these big-picture, existential matters–they are generally more right than the rest of us. –Kathryn Schulz, author of BEING WRONG
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The National Institute of Mental Health lists six forms of depressive disorder/depression: major depression, persistent depressive disorder, psychotic depression, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder, and bipolar disorder (aka manic-depressive illness). NOT listed is Depressive realism.
I have never given much thought to depression (in the listed sense), probably because no one I’ve known (that I’m aware of) suffered from depression. However, the Schulz quotation strikes a chord because I’ve “suffered” from realism for years (since I’ve been free of inherited Catholicism), but without becoming depressed as a result….though heaven knows I have good reason to be (and perhaps should be), given that I “understand, all too acutely,” the reality Schulz cites. Why am I not (by N.I.M.H. standards) depressed? Why isn’t everyone depressed?
There are palliatives available before depression might come into play — for some, there is no shortage of such catholicons as drugs, alcoholism, power addiction, and yes, religion, to hold the wolf of reality at bay or serve as “the cheering illusion” that all’s well that ends well. Who knows, maybe all does end well, after all….but, given the mean time in the meantime, you could’ve fooled me. Life seems to imitate a product designed and built (sooner or later) to fail, but am I depressed? No….and, I take it, neither are you. Why not?
Well, it’s not as if life were an unmitigated disaster, that’s why — at least, not for most of us. The half-full part of the glass, I wouldn’t miss for the world. Even if our futures get short shrift, if our talents go under-appreciated, if we see ignorance, arrogance and greed thrive — even if love goes south — was it not “better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?” No matter what is terribly wrong with the world (thanks to both the Creator, if any, and the created), we see in small children not original sin, but original innocence (perhaps our original innocence), the sheer joy of being alive, the promise of hope….and we hope to God or Fate that their promise doesn’t go up in smoke.
After due consideration, my take-away from all of this is that if we really want to get it right, do not go gentle into that good night*; there is a more challenging way: depressive realism. Think about it. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.*
*from the poem by Dylan Thomas
Notes To Ponder 2:14 am on September 10, 2020 Permalink |
Most excellent. 🙂
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mistermuse 12:07 pm on September 10, 2020 Permalink |
Thank you for that Most excellent comment! 😉
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obbverse 3:03 am on September 10, 2020 Permalink |
Enjoyed the wordplay muchly. May I add an offering on Peter Pan?
See Ya Late-
Pity poor pre-adolescent Peter Pan,
Never fated to become a full grown man-
Sadly remembered as a smart-mouthed juvenile,
NOW he’d say ‘kids, don’t ever bait the crocodile.”
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mistermuse 8:54 am on September 10, 2020 Permalink |
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Rivergirl 7:15 am on September 10, 2020 Permalink |
“I’m not young enough to know everything” is a wonderful quote!
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mistermuse 8:56 am on September 10, 2020 Permalink |
As for me, I’m not Trumpian enough to know everything!
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Rivergirl 11:35 am on September 10, 2020 Permalink
Few of us are.
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magickmermaid 10:34 am on September 10, 2020 Permalink |
Thanks, MisterMuse! I wish everyone would follow my suggestions so readily. 😀
Yet another reason why I don’t have a webcam. All and sundry would have seen me hopping around the livingroom to the Fats Waller tune! If he can’t make you dance, no one will!
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mistermuse 12:02 pm on September 10, 2020 Permalink |
You’re very welcome, mm. Any friend of Fats is a friend of mine! 😉
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Rosaliene Bacchus 3:13 pm on September 10, 2020 Permalink |
Love them all, MisterMuse, especially “The Faux Pas of Positive Thinking” 🙂
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mistermuse 3:36 pm on September 10, 2020 Permalink |
Likewise, Rosaliene. I was kind of partial to “Know Weigh Hose Say”….but when José say “No way!”, I changed my mind.
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annieasksyou 11:11 pm on September 10, 2020 Permalink |
When magickmermaid, the Siren
Called mistermuse to play
The result was a fun environ
So, “yes way,” I say.
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mistermuse 12:47 am on September 11, 2020 Permalink |
I didn’t know you’re a poet —
Or should I say, a poetess.,,,
But any way you weigh it,
You’re no damsel in distress.
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calmkate 2:14 am on September 11, 2020 Permalink |
very clever … I’m sure I’ve asked for more overtime … guess I dont have the magic touch!
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mistermuse 8:37 am on September 11, 2020 Permalink |
Hopefully you’ll develop “the magic touch” over time, Kate. 😉
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calmkate 3:17 pm on September 11, 2020 Permalink
lol as a realist that could be tricky!
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Elizabeth 4:56 pm on September 12, 2020 Permalink |
I am not sure if I like the first one best or not. Better not be sure!
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mistermuse 6:09 pm on September 12, 2020 Permalink |
I’m not sure how to respond to that, Elizabeth — but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. 😉
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masercot 8:45 am on September 14, 2020 Permalink |
The outcome is most obscure
unless I’m sure
When my confidence is at its height
I probably haven’t done anything right…
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mistermuse 11:42 am on September 14, 2020 Permalink |
Compared to Trump,
you’re ahead of the game —
he NEVER does anything right
and he’s never ever to blame.
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masercot 11:44 am on September 14, 2020 Permalink |
You French have beaten me, again!
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arekhill1 10:32 am on September 15, 2020 Permalink |
If there ever was a year that reality got in touch, it’s this one, Sr. Muse.
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mistermuse 3:49 pm on September 15, 2020 Permalink |
I fear the worst of the year is yet to come after Nov. 3, no matter the election results.
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Ana Daksina 11:41 pm on October 5, 2020 Permalink |
Really is as really does, so I’m really glad I’m not really sure that I’m real. But here’s some reassurance anyway, for ya: “There, there, dear…” 🤤
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