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But can a reader who's truly depressed think as rationally as Nietzsche and make sense of it? Because of the views around suicide and how it can be seen as an

But can a reader who's truly depressed think as rationally as Nietzsche and make sense of it? Because of the views around suicide and how it can be seen as an "out" for issues that are actually only temporary, associating suicide with hope in any sense could be counterproductive. You have to make these people understand. Sometimes they never intend to understand, and only take the parts that validate their preexisting notions. Suicide and hope in the same statement.

barrenko 7y ago
One could also view seriously depressed people as extremely lucid. (If it's not brain damage induced of course)
- jshevek 7y ago
  Reflecting on the states of mind I have when I am or am not depressed, I would say I'm far more lucid and have a more accurate (if less broad) worldview when I'm depressed.
- Hercuros 7y ago
  I never really understood the point of view that depressed people somehow are more realistic, seeing things as they “really are”, while non-depressed people are overly optimistic. Maybe it’s true in the limited setting of a study, but depressed people tend to behave in ways that are basically irrational and counterproductive: staying in bed, passively ruminating about the future, procrastinating and avoiding useful/enjoyable activities, etc. These are not the actions of a rational person, and many (perhaps not all) depressed people would feel somewhat better if they didn’t engage in these types of activities. It’s definitely hard to change this type of behavior, and change is not a magic cure, but it is a useful component. The reason why I believe the “depressed people are just seeing the world as it really is” line of thinking is harmful is that it encourages people to believe that their depression is simply the result of their accurate world view, and that trying to change things in order to feel better would mean they have to fool themselves.

barrenko 7y ago

One could also view seriously depressed people as extremely lucid. (If it's not brain damage induced of course)

jshevek 7y ago
Reflecting on the states of mind I have when I am or am not depressed, I would say I'm far more lucid and have a more accurate (if less broad) worldview when I'm depressed.
Hercuros 7y ago
I never really understood the point of view that depressed people somehow are more realistic, seeing things as they “really are”, while non-depressed people are overly optimistic. Maybe it’s true in the limited setting of a study, but depressed people tend to behave in ways that are basically irrational and counterproductive: staying in bed, passively ruminating about the future, procrastinating and avoiding useful/enjoyable activities, etc. These are not the actions of a rational person, and many (perhaps not all) depressed people would feel somewhat better if they didn’t engage in these types of activities. It’s definitely hard to change this type of behavior, and change is not a magic cure, but it is a useful component. The reason why I believe the “depressed people are just seeing the world as it really is” line of thinking is harmful is that it encourages people to believe that their depression is simply the result of their accurate world view, and that trying to change things in order to feel better would mean they have to fool themselves.