Depressed people are more realistic

[motel rooms]

Depressive realism is the hypothesis developed by Lauren Alloy and Lyn Yvonne Abramson that depressed individuals make more realistic inferences than non-depressed individuals. Although depressed individuals are thought to have a negative cognitive bias that results in recurrent, negative automatic thoughts, maladaptive behaviors, and dysfunctional world beliefs, depressive realism argues not only that this negativity may reflect a more accurate appraisal of the world but also that non-depressed individuals' appraisals are positively biased.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depressive_realism

 

[Deleted member 8579]

...is this supposed to be some astonishing insight?

 

[Weary Soul]

I read something similar to this awhile ago - in essence, depressed people see the world as it is; whereas, those who are not depressed recreate the world (use magical thinking) to exist in a bubble of positivity as unrealistic as it may be. (It this is what you ere alluding to @hotelbeneathground. I may have misunderstood). I did not check out the links - I am beyond exhausted at the moment and still kind of reeling at how cruel some people can be (Vis-a-vis the post about the one who wanted someone to suffer as they were dying - still cannot wrap my head around that one).

In any case, back to the topic and my apologies for digressing - I found this an incredibly interesting hypothesis!

I initially read it years ago and thought wow, that makes so much sense (I was pre-med major with psych emphasis - and this came up during university). It was really an eye opener for me, and warrants further study IMO.

 

[Beachedwhale]

Not sure about this. Most of my depressive ruminations over the years have been full of shit.

 

[azazel_djinn]

There is a movie called Melancholia by lars von trier. In the second half of the movie where there is an unavoidable end of the world due to a small planet running into the Earth, the "normal" people become insane, but the depressed people become calm and help the normal people stay strong. I find it very relatable because 2020 turns out to my most productive year...

 

[motel rooms]

...is this supposed to be some astonishing insight?

It's still controversial. Read @Beachedwhale 's post

 

[theguineapigking]

I think that it depends on the person and the type of depression they have. It also depends on their logical thinking ability. But yes, I believe that many depressed people, especially those here on this site, see the world in a more realistic view.

Average healthy people think that the world is some paradise or something(they at least act like it). When I look at the world, I laugh. Working 40+ hours to survive. Having kids. Repeating the cycle of life. Pain, breakups, injuries, loss, etc. There may be positive attributes to life, but there's definitely more potential pain than there is pleasure(Facts Bruh).

Simply put: 1) The "right kind" of depressed person's mind is able to see the world more realistically(good and bad). 2) The "wrong kind" of depressed mind may see only the hopelessness or negative attributes in life, without being able to see the positive. 3) The average person seems to be biased more towards the positive attributes in life(optimism). They can't really understand suicide or why someone would want to end their pain(aren't you happy working half of your free time?) At least, this is how I see it. I feel like it's pretty obvious, but you may disagree with me.

Best wishes

 

[Deleted member 8579]

Average healthy people think that the world is some paradise or something(they at least act like it).

I believe that is not quite true.
I think the average person doesn't think about the world and life at all, they merely live.
The kind of people whose perception skews toward the positive might best be described, for lack of a better term, as those that "live aggressively".

 

[motel rooms]

I think the average person doesn't think about the world and life at all, they merely live.

That's why it's hard to feel sorry for them when they lose their job & fall for demagogues / charlatans / conspiracy theorists

 

[BlankUser]

People usually say to me: "You're being pessimistic", I always reply: "I'm being realistic".

 

[FuneralCry]

Yes, I think this is true. Most depressed people see life as pointless, which it is as we all just die anyway and they see this world as full of suffering which it simply is. Many other people are so distracted by life and they might have not went through many hardships so they are able to be mostly ignorant to the true nature of this life.

 

[thats_a_wrap]

I don't know if my depression is the result of how I see the world for what it truly is, or the cause

 

[Sunset Limited]

We swallowed the biggest red pill.

 

[noname223]

I some aspects I agree. However there are some depressed people who are not realistic regarding their life to be honest. During the first depressive episode you often cannot really judge your outcome. For me killing myself during my first severe depression would not have changed anything but there are people who recover and life is good for them. Still not quite sure if that's always realisitc but better than living in pain.

 

[PlathWannaBe]

Depressive realism is the hypothesis developed by Lauren Alloy and Lyn Yvonne Abramson that depressed individuals make more realistic inferences than non-depressed individuals. Although depressed individuals are thought to have a negative cognitive bias that results in recurrent, negative automatic thoughts, maladaptive behaviors, and dysfunctional world beliefs, depressive realism argues not only that this negativity may reflect a more accurate appraisal of the world but also that non-depressed individuals' appraisals are positively biased.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depressive_realism

I heard this quote several years ago about depressed people, and part of me believes it to be true.

On the other hand, it makes me see this quote as me wanting to stay in victim mode and feeling sorry for myself. Part of me feels righteous and validated for the struggles I have in my life, so I'm aware that when I cling to a quote like this, for me personally, it's because I'm wallowing in my self pity.

But, idk, if things were working out for me, maybe I wouldn't be stuck in such a victim mindset.