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The Upside Of Depression

First Posted: 03/18/10 06:12 AM ET Updated: 11/17/11 09:02 AM ET

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newsweek.com:

Critiques of happiness and the happiness industry came mostly from psychologists, philosophers, and sociologists who are concerned about the effect of a message that says modest levels of well-being aren't enough, and that we all practically have a duty to be really, really happy.

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Critiques of happiness and the happiness industry came mostly from psychologists, philosophers, and sociologists who are concerned about the effect of a message that says modest levels of well-being a...
Critiques of happiness and the happiness industry came mostly from psychologists, philosophers, and sociologists who are concerned about the effect of a message that says modest levels of well-being a...
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MosheDayanHero
41 Fans
01:11 PM on 11/05/2009
Real clinical depression has no upsides. this is nonsense.
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TheIndependenceParty
Cranky yankee and a rehabilitated ex-Republican
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10:35 PM on 11/03/2009
It is a reality that we will suffer loss in life, ... jobs, marriages, children and parents. Grief is a very natural consequence of these. Depression may ensue as grief remains unresolved. When we can not move on, it can be for many reasons. Sometimes we are meant to linger, to learn from our surroundings and our thoughts, ... truths like diamonds upon a storm swept beach, to carry home from our dark journeys. Tempering us, and toning our hearts for shorter but more purposeful journeys.

But We would not sit quietly as flood waters rose, engulfing our homes, drowning our pets, and ruining our lives. Depression is like that, ... no purpose, ... no energy left for reflection, ... for any reason. Everything in the end is drowned and lost. Depression gives rise to nothing.

"Happy, Happy, Joy , Joy ? No.

Depression is real, and terribly painful. It is not the "B Side" of the Birthday Song, ... it is a sometimes inescapable place which once happy people are occasionally condemned to explore. It can take medicine, and love and time.

Humans know this.
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jkrupiarz
2 Fans
06:38 PM on 11/03/2009
Physical pain probably also has an evolutionary purpose, but we don't tell people to just suffer through that for the good of humanity. If the experts think everyone should just sit alone in a room and not eat, sleep, or have sex, then let them be depressed and do that. Meanwhile I'll stick with my Effexor.
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Exene
144 Fans
09:44 AM on 11/04/2009
Hear! Hear! If someone were in chronic physical pain, no one would say that taking medication for it was a sign of weakness. Without my medication, I'm in chronic psychic pain. No thanks!
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