misterpeace:

floatingparticles:

Depressive realism is the proposition that people with depression actually have a more accurate perception of reality, specifically that they are less affected by positive illusions of illusory superiority, the illusion of control and optimism bias. The concept refers to people with borderline or moderate depression, suggesting that while non-depressed people see things in an overly positive light and severely depressed people see things in overly negative light, the mildly discontented gray area in between in fact reflects the most accurate perception of reality.

The linked Wikipedia article does offer opposing viewpoints but this is food for thought.  I can’t help but notice that the best way to press on in life is to pick a delusion of some kind and stick to it with a tenacity that completely defies all logic.  A common thread among happy people I’ve known is that they frequently have an amazing talent for fooling themselves or missing the point and I just have difficulty lying to myself like that.

As I’ve dealt with my own issues I’ve noticed that my depression is separate from my pragmatism. Yes, attitude, to a large extent, determines our reality. But I have found that the people who are “always positive” in public (at work, in social situations) are often the ones who have the most trouble dealing with real stress when it does occur, or identifying when everyone is on the wrong path. And I have been there when the cheeriest, peppiest people have broken down in private because they couldn’t keep the fantasy going.

I often look at bad decisions that have been made in organizations I have been a part of and thought to myself, “There was some ‘malcontent’ who either spoke up or wanted to but they were drowned out by the chorus of people who ‘always see the bright side,’.”

I’m glad I’m healthier than I was, but I really do think I’d take a little “depressive realism” over “self-deceiving positivity.”

But that’s me. And you should probably take the advice of the divorced, depressed guy who screwed up his career and now spends his time documenting imaginary conversations with his dog with a grain of salt.

Ag