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Resources => Helpful Resources => Topic started by: Rose799 on June 18, 2011, 06:03:07 PM

Title: Depression's Advantages
Post by: Rose799 on June 18, 2011, 06:03:07 PM
Interesting article; never thought there was an up side to having depression~

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=depressions-evolutionary
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: cadagi101 on June 18, 2011, 06:21:04 PM
thanks Rose very interesting ro read, I feek much better now :) :)
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: luise.volta on June 18, 2011, 07:13:02 PM
Thanks! (And thanks for your moral support this afternoon, Rose. I don't want to get into it but I appreciate your being there.)
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: lancaster lady on June 18, 2011, 10:45:46 PM
Luise :.............We are all here for you .......! ....I don't  know what's happening ,as I am being sent lots of old postings ,very strange .  Never forget how many ladies you have helped through this forum ,and we are here for you repaying your dedication with love and gratitude ......  :)
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: cadagi101 on June 18, 2011, 11:05:06 PM
Luise my posts don't get through. yes your friends are behind you all the way,
love
Julia
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: gretchenw on June 19, 2011, 02:36:40 AM
Quote from: Rose799 on June 18, 2011, 06:03:07 PM
Interesting article; never thought there was an up side to having depression~

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=depressions-evolutionary

There is absolutely no evidence that people who are frequently depressed are better at solving problems.  In fact, exactly the opposite is true.  Second, depressed people have a complete lack of motivation.  They are not "ruminating" in any way that leads to meaningful answers to problems.

I have a PhD in astrophysics, and I will tell you emphatically that depressed people do not make it in my field.
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: gretchenw on June 19, 2011, 03:26:29 AM
Read: http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/03/01/the-myth-of-depressions-upside/
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: cadagi101 on June 19, 2011, 04:10:29 AM
Quote from: gretchenw on June 19, 2011, 02:36:40 AM
Quote from: Rose799 on June 18, 2011, 06:03:07 PM
Interesting article; never thought there was an up side to having depression~

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=depressions-evolutionary

There is absolutely no evidence that people who are frequently depressed are better at solving problems.  In fact, exactly the opposite is true.  Second, depressed people have a complete lack of motivation.  They are not "ruminating" in any way that leads to meaningful answers to problems.

I have a PhD in astrophysics, and I will tell you emphatically that depressed people do not make it in my field.


Many of our history's brilliant minds have suffered from depression
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: gretchenw on June 19, 2011, 04:47:00 AM
Quote from: Julia on June 19, 2011, 04:10:29 AM
Many of our history's brilliant minds have suffered from depression

This is true.  It is also true that many of our history's carpenters have suffered from depression.  My own carpenter does brilliant work when he is not depressed.

However, the scientific evidence is that depression and brilliance are anti-correlated.

Read:  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278584610003891
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: Pen on June 19, 2011, 06:58:31 AM
Well now I'm really depressed.
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: luise.volta on June 19, 2011, 07:25:17 AM
I don't understand why it is, but we can't quote from another Website...all we can do is post a URL and comment on it in our own words. Something about copywrite law.

I find the subject really interesting because I really doubt if anyone totally escapes depression.
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: luise.volta on June 19, 2011, 07:37:38 AM
Julia: I am so glad to see you here. Missed you and have no idea why your posts didn't make it. Please don't give up!

LL: I also have no idea why you are getting old posts. I'm sorry. It doesn't make any sense to me.

Onward and upward. Sending love...
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: Rose799 on June 19, 2011, 07:43:43 AM
Quote from: Pen on June 19, 2011, 06:58:31 AM
Well now I'm really depressed.

Hello & welcome, Gretchenw.  I believe heartbreak is responsible for much of the depression we read about on this site.  Have you any self-help suggestions for us? 

When I read the article, I thought of Abe Lincoln.  I don't know if what he described as being melancholy would be considered clinical depression.  Though he had good reason to be depressed; he also had deep insight & resolve as to which direction to lead the country.  I Googled his IQ - supposedly it was 128.
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: Rose799 on June 19, 2011, 07:52:15 AM
Quote from: luise.volta on June 19, 2011, 07:37:38 AM
Julia: I am so glad to see you here. Missed you and have no idea why your posts didn't make it. Please don't give up!

LL: I also have no idea why you are getting old posts. I'm sorry. It doesn't make any sense to me.

Onward and upward. Sending love...

A couple of my posts didn't go either, but did after I selected "Preview." 
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: Rose799 on June 19, 2011, 08:04:57 AM
Quote from: luise.volta on June 18, 2011, 07:13:02 PM
Thanks! (And thanks for your moral support this afternoon, Rose. I don't want to get into it but I appreciate your being there.)

After all you & Kirk have done for me over the past several months...no thanks are necessary, Luise~  Love you...
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: Pen on June 19, 2011, 08:28:59 AM
Quote from: gretchenw on June 19, 2011, 02:36:40 AM
Quote from: Rose799 on June 18, 2011, 06:03:07 PM
Interesting article; never thought there was an up side to having depression~

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=depressions-evolutionary

There is absolutely no evidence that people who are frequently depressed are better at solving problems.  In fact, exactly the opposite is true.  Second, depressed people have a complete lack of motivation.  They are not "ruminating" in any way that leads to meaningful answers to problems.

I have a PhD in astrophysics, and I will tell you emphatically that depressed people do not make it in my field.

I'm glad you're able to do so well in your life, Gretchenw. You've been blessed with an intelligent, healthy mind and the wherewithall to use it. Not everyone is that lucky. Perhaps those who aren't are grateful for a bit of a silver lining to help them persevere.
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: gretchenw on June 19, 2011, 09:02:33 AM
Sorry all.  Junk science inflames me. 

Please delete it all. 
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: luise.volta on June 19, 2011, 09:09:57 AM
Delete all of your posts? They gave another view. Or delete your strong objections? OK, I can do that.
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: luise.volta on June 19, 2011, 09:29:08 AM
Subjectively speaking: My own experience (re: depression) is that when I am depressed and know it, which I sometimes don't, my thoughts and any decisions I make at that time, are unreliable. They are distorted. The trick is to know that I'm under a black cloud and am not making any sense.
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: gretchenw on June 19, 2011, 09:39:39 AM
Thank you for the deletions.

And thus, as a scientist, I find it depressing that most people in the world do not want to hear about science, would prefer that we scientists stay quiet if the facts do not fit the myth, and will proudly claim that they can't understand maths.

Your country used to be the best in the world in scientific knowledge.  You out-sputniked the Soviet Union and then ran the ball all the way to the moon.  You created the internet.  You discovered the best pharmaceuticals.  You were the world leaders in the silicon materials and circuits inside all our computers.  (Ergo the name Silicon Valley).  What happened?   
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: Rose799 on June 19, 2011, 09:49:42 AM
Quote from: gretchenw on June 19, 2011, 09:02:33 AM
Sorry all.  Junk science inflames me. 

Please delete it all.

Gretchen, I didn't take offense to your posts.  I became familiar with depression while contending with a chronic health condition.   I'm seriously open to any ideas that might help... 
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: gretchenw on June 19, 2011, 09:57:24 AM
This website, this group of women, is one of the best antidotes to depression I have ever seen. 

If only I could get my DIL to sign up!!!
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: luise.volta on June 19, 2011, 09:57:51 AM
Unscientific explanation: There is always the other side of the coin.

Where do you hail from, G.? Germany?
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: Pen on June 19, 2011, 11:23:48 AM
Oh, sorry I was misunderstood! I was exploring a reason why people might have jumped onto the "upside of depression" bandwagon. I wasn't offended by your post either, Gretchenw. Keep your wise information coming, please!
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: cadagi101 on June 19, 2011, 04:10:48 PM
Quote from: gretchenw on June 19, 2011, 09:57:24 AM
This website, this group of women, is one of the best antidotes to depression I have ever seen. 


thankyou for the compliment,  you are right this site is a great antidote to depression.   We are here for each other  and we all have brilliant minds.  Brilliance  and compassion go hand in hand in this life.   You can't have one without the other.
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: Pen on June 19, 2011, 04:55:34 PM
Quote from: gretchenw on June 19, 2011, 09:39:39 AM

Your country used to be the best in the world in scientific knowledge.  You out-sputniked the Soviet Union and then ran the ball all the way to the moon.  You created the internet.  You discovered the best pharmaceuticals.  You were the world leaders in the silicon materials and circuits inside all our computers.  (Ergo the name Silicon Valley).  What happened?   

IMO, we've lost our critical thinking skills. We used to encourage them; now we discourage creativity and good research. We aren't turning out many scientists/mathematicians these days, and the arts are also suffering. I believe the talent is there and that we can get back the drive to be great, but probably only if such programs are supported like they were in "the good old days."
Title: Re: Depression's Advantages
Post by: Pooh on June 20, 2011, 05:32:59 AM
I agree with Pen.  I also think money plays a big role.  It seems here in the US, it is getting harder and harder to get funding for the scientists.  Money is being spent so stupidly here (talking government and the big picture) that research, science and the arts are getting left out.  It's sad.