15
$\begingroup$

I have noticed that some people have lives that appear perfectly fine, yet they feel depressed. In my specific case the feeling typically lasts for a few days and then magically disappears, only to reappear a couple of weeks later.

  • In the absence of a real problem (e.g., loss of a close friend, physical sickness, etc), what causes these periods of negative affect?
Improve this question
$\endgroup$
5
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ I assume you are not talking about Major Depression, correct? Major Depression is rare without external stresses, but "normal depression" is common in all individuals without extreme stressors $\endgroup$
    – Ben Brocka
    Jun 14, 2012 at 14:15
  • $\begingroup$ @BenBrocka: Indeed, not Major Depressions. In fact, not anything that would be labeled as a depression, because (in my case) it only lasts for a couple of days at most. $\endgroup$
    – Simon Verbeke
    Jun 14, 2012 at 14:18
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ You should take a look at this question about endogenous versus exogenous reasoning in depression diagnosis. Your question might in-fact be a duplicate of that, but I haven't thought too closely about it. $\endgroup$
    – Artem Kaznatcheev
    Jun 14, 2012 at 20:52
  • $\begingroup$ Poor diet and lack of exercise. Or maybe you are getting just smart enough to grasp the pointlessness of your present form of existence. Good news - all of those are easily addressable by making life changes. $\endgroup$
    – dtech
    Jul 5, 2018 at 23:53
  • $\begingroup$ Related: Why does a person feel sad without knowing the reason? $\endgroup$
    – Arnon Weinberg ♦
    Nov 19, 2018 at 18:27

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
6
$\begingroup$

"Their lives are perfectly fine" is a hard to test thing. Hard to compare. How people feel and respond is deeply contextual.

However there are several potential reasons:

  • They may be 'wired' to feel stress or respond emotionally (i.e. Due to the way their brain has developed).
  • A feeling of not being in control (This is often hard to perceive from outside and removed from concrete factors). The causes and triggers of this are varied and complex.
  • A physical response. e.g. Things like a sensitivity to Gluten can cause incredible changes to our emotions and physiology. Often this manifests in good and bad periods.
  • Negativity can be a reflection of the context or surroundings. Those same people may appear positive in a different context.
  • Mental illness can manifest in uneven patterns. This spans from mild (common) to severe symptoms.
Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
3
$\begingroup$

I would also like to point out that there is a clear difference between a psychological depression and an existential one. I would like to point out the definitions of James Park of the University of Minnesota; please have a look at the table at the bottom of this page.

So then, people with perfectly fine lives might well end up with a "clinical existential" depression.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
5
  • $\begingroup$ I really like this, your introduction of existential vs psychological depression. I would have said endogenous vs reactive, but this is another perspective and I really like it +1 $\endgroup$
    – user10932
    Nov 24, 2013 at 22:31
  • $\begingroup$ Thank you Skippy. Always nice to know one´s comments are appreciated :-) $\endgroup$
    – user3578
    Nov 24, 2013 at 22:32
  • $\begingroup$ of course! I always try to welcome people.. and you've really struck an interesting cord for me.. there are a lot of unanswered questions here, feel free to potter and answer at your leisure :) hint hint lol $\endgroup$
    – user10932
    Nov 24, 2013 at 22:35
  • $\begingroup$ Hehe - fair enough and very welcoming of you. I take it slow, as I find some posts here a little heavy on the over-psychologising. Trying to be helpful and positive. $\endgroup$
    – user3578
    Nov 24, 2013 at 22:37
  • $\begingroup$ have a look at this cogsci.stackexchange.com/questions/5016/… $\endgroup$
    – user10932
    Nov 24, 2013 at 22:43
2
$\begingroup$

Some people with "without a problem" have fallen under Gut Health/Gut Microbiota.

See study:

"A randomized controlled trial to test the effect of multispecies probiotics on cognitive reactivity to sad mood."

"Conclusion: These results provide the first evidence that the intake of probiotics may help reduce negative thoughts associated with sad mood. Probiotics supplementation warrants further research as a potential preventive strategy for depression."

Also see: Depression, The Microbiome & Leaky Gut

References:

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.