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The term may be overused, but depression unfortunately does have a specific clinical meaning. Depression is not simply being sad. In fact, people suffering from

The term may be overused, but depression unfortunately does have a specific clinical meaning. Depression is not simply being sad. In fact, people suffering from depression often describe it less as sadness and more as feeling nothing at all. One of my favorite examples are these Hyperbole and Half posts (http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2011/10/adventures-in-depression.html http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2011/10/adventures-in-..., http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2013/05/depression-part-two.html http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2013/05/depression-par...). This isn't a perfect test, but the linguistic cue to pick up on the difference between clinical depression and mere sadness is whether the person describes it in terms of temporary emotional state ("I'm so depressed") or something more permanent ("I live with depression").

braythwayt 10y ago
In the context of Seligman's work, it is interesting to note that you can't just ascribe everything difficult in your life to temporary things. A symptom of depression can absolutely be temporary, and part of managing depression is to recognize this. Depression itself, for many people, is effectively permanent, and part of managing depression is recognizing that as well. So, thanks for a comment that seems quite germane to the talk!
dominotw 10y ago
>Depression is not simply being sad. Thats such a strange and convoluted distinction. Even the author of the post equates depression with sadness. He equates not depressed with ' happier and more productive'/'happiness and success', which is simply being not sad. >This isn't a perfect test But, don't you think we need clear definition of problem before we go about finding solutions for it ? Just feels a little odd to talk about overly elaborate solutions for a poorly defined problem.
- emodendroket 10y ago
  > But, don't you think we need clear definition of problem before we go about finding solutions for it ? Is that too much to ask for? Just feels a little odd to talk about overly elaborate solutions for a poorly defined problem. Not really. In practice it's fairly common for doctors to try treatments without being sure what the cause of the symptom is. I don't think it makes sense to say "well, we're not going to try to do anything to help those with clinical depression until we understand the underlying mechanism" because in the meantime you have people who need help and are not going to get it.
  - dominotw 10y ago
    >In practice it's fairly common for doctors to try treatments without being sure what the cause of the symptom is. You mean nonchalantly prescribing anti depressants? I was put on zoloft about 1.5 years over 7 years ago and I still suffer from side effects despite being only on 'pediatric dosage'. Never again!!
    - emodendroket 10y ago
      I'm sorry you had a negative experience, but I'm not sure that's enough to say that the practice is without merit.

braythwayt 10y ago

In the context of Seligman's work, it is interesting to note that you can't just ascribe everything difficult in your life to temporary things. A symptom of depression can absolutely be temporary, and part of managing depression is to recognize this. Depression itself, for many people, is effectively permanent, and part of managing depression is recognizing that as well. So, thanks for a comment that seems quite germane to the talk!

dominotw 10y ago

>Depression is not simply being sad. Thats such a strange and convoluted distinction. Even the author of the post equates depression with sadness. He equates not depressed with ' happier and more productive'/'happiness and success', which is simply being not sad. >This isn't a perfect test But, don't you think we need clear definition of problem before we go about finding solutions for it ? Just feels a little odd to talk about overly elaborate solutions for a poorly defined problem.

emodendroket 10y ago
> But, don't you think we need clear definition of problem before we go about finding solutions for it ? Is that too much to ask for? Just feels a little odd to talk about overly elaborate solutions for a poorly defined problem. Not really. In practice it's fairly common for doctors to try treatments without being sure what the cause of the symptom is. I don't think it makes sense to say "well, we're not going to try to do anything to help those with clinical depression until we understand the underlying mechanism" because in the meantime you have people who need help and are not going to get it.
- dominotw 10y ago
  >In practice it's fairly common for doctors to try treatments without being sure what the cause of the symptom is. You mean nonchalantly prescribing anti depressants? I was put on zoloft about 1.5 years over 7 years ago and I still suffer from side effects despite being only on 'pediatric dosage'. Never again!!
  - emodendroket 10y ago
    I'm sorry you had a negative experience, but I'm not sure that's enough to say that the practice is without merit.