Posted by SLS on September 23, 2012, at 5:50:49
In reply to Re: Depression - an illness of the strong? » SLS, posted by jane d on September 23, 2012, at 3:57:08
> > > Nice article:
> > >
> > > http://www.familyhealthguide.co.uk/depressive-illness-the-curse-of-the-strong.html> > A good friend of mine didn't like the article. He was particularly critical of the view that stress was the most common cause of depression.
> I didn't like it either. I think it may be one of the worst pieces I've read in a long time though I admit I try to stay away from sites like that. I did however admire it's attempt to turn a lack of resiliance into a virtue.
>
> Mostly, I thought it was very insulting in it's attitude. No one else can possibly understand? I got depressed and you didn't because I am strong and you are weak? I think it would be extremely undiplomatic to suggest that to anyone who's sympathy and/or assistance I might want in the future. But I also think it's just plain false. Satisfying to say - sure. But it doesn't fit with my experience to being more vulnerable to repeat episodes. I certainly wasn't getting stronger. I'd fold with the best of them. It doesn't fit with my being less vulnerable on medication either.
>
> I guess if it were presented as a personal experience on someone's blog I'd be more tolerant. It's the pretext that it's a comprehensive article that I find so annoying.It's interesting that the two of us focus on different parts of the article. I think I ignored much its shortcomings and looked more at its portrayals of how stress can drive a physical illness. I also thought it was an interesting hypothesis that people who don't give up on attempting to perform futile tasks contract a physical illness of the nervous system as a result. I'm sure this could have been presented in a way other than to throw around words like strong and weak. It seems like an attempt to put a positive spin on things.
I was put-off by the title of the "Beware of family and loving friends" section. I felt that it was an overgeneralization. However, I think it was accurate in its portrayal of those destructive interactions that can, but do not always, occur. The author might be projecting their own personal experiences and emotional reactions as if they were absolutes. What isn't said is that there are some very enlightened and supportive people that surround the lucky ones. Education helps to guide people in their judgments and behaviors towards mental illness. I was hoping that this article would be educational to those who do not suffer from depressive disorders. I guess it missed the mark for the reasons that you describe.
- Scott
Some see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.- George Bernard Shaw
poster:SLS
thread:1026204
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120922/msgs/1026407.html