Depression Validity Debate

The cluster centers on debates about whether depression is a legitimate clinical illness, a rational response to life circumstances, or over-simplified, with frequent analogies criticizing advice like 'just cheer up'. Discussions include personal experiences, stigma, causes, and misconceptions around mental health.

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Comments
20
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5
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#990
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Keywords

OP psychcentral.com BIO PANAS jasonlefkowitz.net COVID wikipedia.org CFS depression depressed clinical mood mental health suicide mental causes person telling

Sample Comments

yreg Feb 14, 2022 View on HN

This reads a bit like asking a depressed person why they don't just stop being sad.

GekkePrutser Feb 12, 2021 View on HN

That's like telling a depressed person they shouldn't be depressed.

talaketu Feb 28, 2013 View on HN

come now... not all depression is clinical.

jhanschoo Jan 5, 2019 View on HN

This is not true. Many suffer depression for no identifiable lifestyle reason.

bendbro May 17, 2023 View on HN

I agree, I wonder if depression is not always rooted in some random, mental problem but rather a reasonable reaction to reality.

P_I_Staker Apr 7, 2020 View on HN

Oh, depression definitely exists. It tends to be over-simplified and is too stigmatized, but it most definitely exists. Keep in mind that "depression" is a very general spectrum disorder with many different forms. Saying someone has depression is a bit like saying "they're sick"; but they could have the common cold, flu, COVID-19, ect.It's worth noting that there are people out there with what I'll call "inexplicable depression". In other words, ev

Lucasoato Nov 23, 2021 View on HN

There are a lot of people suffering of depression, I don't think that what you implied there is valid.

powertower Sep 20, 2011 View on HN

> Not sure why you got downvoted...Depressed people tend to discount all explanations that start with "it's only in your head." Right or wrong. I'm just pointing it out.

brazzy Nov 16, 2021 View on HN

Maybe don't insult people whose experience with depression is not exactly the same as yours?

TeHCrAzY Jan 13, 2010 View on HN

It's unlikely to have been a temporary problem. Depression is pervasive, all encompasing, and, seemingly, far outside your expreiences to have made such an uninformed comment.