Monday, October 02, 2006

Depression

At least three independent scientific studies report that between 78.6% and 79.2% of the people I love most suffer from depression. Broader studies have not yet been done to determine whether this is an average proportion of depressed loved ones for any random individual to have, or if there is something about me specifically that attracts depressed people. Or, perhaps, that I am the cause of all this depression.

I wish I understood depression better, but I really don't. I have been blessed with the type of personality that allows me to simply choose to be happy in pretty much any circumstance, so my tendency is to ask, "Well, why are you choosing to be unhappy?" even though cognitively I understand that it is not so simple for many people. I'm afraid this inability to empathize isn't very helpful.

Sorry, my depressed fobs, I'm trying.
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4 comments:

Th. said...

.

Great.

Now I'm depressed.

10/02/2006 3:43 PM
G'pa Bob said...

Bingo! "I wish I understood depression better but I really don't." It is so hard to understand the effect of each of the many things that beset others. We just bear our loved ones up where we can!!

The fact that one tries to understand and admits a shortfall is comforting. Having simpathy puts one on the road to having empathy?

My very best to you.

10/03/2006 4:22 AM
Tolkien Boy said...

I found myself somewhat irritated by our discussion yesterday, in the me-centric way that I'm so good at.

I have decided, categorically, that I am not unhappy all the time and that if I appear so around you, there must be another reason. Perhaps it's a habit I have gotten into?

10/03/2006 4:24 PM
Melyngoch said...

I just appreciate that you've never recommended that I pray more, or have a better attitude.

Actually, you probably have recommended those things, but I assumed they were in jest. Let me know if they weren't, so we can stop being friends.

10/03/2006 10:02 PM

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