Brilliant, or unbelievably stupid?

[kellinator]

I woke up in the middle of the night and had this thought which is either really insightful or really stupid. I'll let you pick:

[Poll #178636]

Comments

[azurelunatic]

...though figuring out what's making you unhappy when it's supposedly unfocused depression but you know it's not can be a bitch and a half.

[es.livejournal.com]

I shan't answer this one, since the statement seems to be right 'round the middle, rather than either extreme. :) I will say, however, that it's my belief that you shouldn't strive to be happy. Happy and Sad are opposite swings of the pendulum, and striving for either will simply ensure you never find what you're looking for. Try instead for content: happy and sad will come in turn, high spikes and low drops and then back again to the next, but if you've got a solid ground to return to, neither will unbalance.

- ES

Re: depression

[wolfieboy.livejournal.com]

For me, just being able to realize that I'm depressed is most of the battle. It's coming to that first realization that's the real bitch.

[tenn-crichton.livejournal.com]

That is insightfull, but not truly enlightening. es summed it up pretty well, so I won't rehash anything nor give any of my rambling advice. Balance, baby. Balance.

Anyway, hang in there.

~M

[not-hothead-yet.livejournal.com]

I said "stupid" by default. I think that "focused depression" is an oxymoron. If you know exactly what is making you depressed, then you are not really depressed, you are upset about something. Depression is an overall feeling of malaise, dread and hopelessness. If you know what is bothering you, then I'd say your feeling is not general.

[girlvinyl.livejournal.com]

I like the school of depression denial. Just pretend like you're not depressed and do all the things you would do anyway, and it just sort of evaporates.

[mizdandylynn.livejournal.com]

I am still giggling about Kellinator Jones and the Temple of Snark. Girl.. you bring me up.

[snowelf.livejournal.com]

Like others have said, I'd aim for contentment, the happiness will arrive soon enough.

[misanthropist.livejournal.com]

I think it's true, but not insightful because it seems pretty obvious.

[bheansidhe.livejournal.com]

CAVEAT: It's hard to quantify a state of generalized nonspecific morbid dread and existential angst.


Further discussion: ALL depression is a signal from your brain that you are Not Happy About Something. The less focused the signal, though, the greater the chance that what you're Not Happy About is an issue you're afraid of, in denial about, or feel helpless against. Those are the tough ones.