In one of her books, Atwood describes a community which allowed people to be in a "fallow" state for as long as they needed it, taking care of their basic needs

In one of her books, Atwood describes a community which allowed people to be in a "fallow" state for as long as they needed it, taking care of their basic needs, being supportive of them, but otherwise allowing them to ruminate and do nothing as much as they wished. I think depression is an evolutionary response to situations which demand too much of us. It sends us into a state where we must take an extended rest to recharge and rebuild ourselves internally: physically, mentally, emotionally. I think not allowing for this is a huge shortcoming of our society, which considers continuous and stable productivity not only the norm, but a requirement.