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Lately, there have been a number of books published on the topic of fighting depression that claim to be based in science. They are absolutely worthless. Every time I have read even a page of one I have wanted to throw up or cry or both. Anybody else who is genuinely depressed should stay away from those things. Just a heads up.
What science is it? Is it psychology? I heard that Science is a solution to problems of humanity. What makes you want to throw up or cry or both then?
What kind of literature do you think is right for me if I want to be happy? I am a person who get easily depressed.
PS:
off-topic: I always wonder whether "What kind of literature do you think is right for me if I want to be happy? " is grammatically natural or...?
The sentence is gramtically correct, but I am in no position to answer it. I have yet to read a book that made me happier. The closest I have come is a book that gets my mind off things (any good book).
The science is usually statistics or neurology. As in: "People with strong religious beliefs are, on average, happier than those without" (I'm an atheist. Oops.), or "Your brain is wired so that you think your life is better than it actually is" (I'm sure that caused more suicides than it prevented).Good science, maybe, anything that you will find in those books, no.Quote:
I heard that Science is a solution to problems of humanity.
Some things in these books may help someone who is a bit down, but if you're actually depressed it's no good at all.
Scientifically, the body experiences happiness through a chemical called dopamine. When dopamine is released, you feel happier. Fairly interesting chemical process, and this has been scientifically proven. Not long ago, a Buddhist monk who specialized in 'happiness' meditation (and happened to have some impressive scientific degrees) worked with a lab to figure out exactly how dopamine worked. The whole affair was quite a success, so I understand.
Does that feel better?
Have you run into the long book, "The Noonday Demon" by Andrew Solomon? It makes no claim to science, and probably no claim to anything, except for perhaps a desire to garner sympathy and understanding by writing a very articulate and "no holds barred" book. It's not for the squeamish, is more of a memoir, but it also provides his extensive research and autobiographic sum-up of the essence of the condition you mention. Very honest and articulate, in parts you could say passionate, and is not clinical or detatched; it's a people-oriented book.
I have not read that book, but I'll put it on my list.
Personally, I have never thought necessarily, that happiness seems in complete opposition to depression. Of course, depression seems a rather miserable feeling, as everyone has felt, I have no doubt, to some degree. Some would say, however, happiness consists partially of wisdom, and others would say happiness consists partially of love (perhaps both seem correct).
An individual in depression, I would like to think, seems in a state of flux, indecision, and contemplation, often driven further by stress, interpersonal relationships, intrapersonal relationships, and the like. With everyone in a constant state of flux, however, neither complete depression nor complete happiness seems attainable to its full definition (as Aristotle would say in Nicomachean Ethics). Knowing this, I feel there seem far more dimensions, beyond human knowledge, regarding human emotion - far greater than that of imagination and any other human faculty.
In my opinion, some of those books may give positive motivation and good insight, but, in some people, an element of false, desolate hope. Recognizing a problem seems the most important step part in solving it, and a book will seldom solve it for you, but more a reflection on a book along with a reflection on one's self.
I couldn't agree more. These books are just useles rubbish written by people who think they have the right answer for life. There is a market for this because of all the naive people that actually believe in it. These "authors" give them what they want. False Hope.Quote:
Lately, there have been a number of books published on the topic of fighting depression that claim to be based in science. They are absolutely worthless.
Which books specifically are you referring to?Quote:
Originally Posted by cuppajoe_9
Wittgenstein said that the purpose of therapy was not to help the subject feel better or happier, but to help them to think. I have a lot of experience of therapy and I'd agree - and add that a bi-product of this is to make one happier.
The books you're talking about, cuppajoe, sound like they're trying to shortcut the process. There is no shortcutting and that's the point. A quick fix to depression is an unthinking one. A pat explanation that your brain is not wired for happiness, alternatively, is a way of shutting down thought. You're quite right to find no succour in either of these. My experience of 'depression' - a word I'm a little suspicious of in itself as too simplistic - is that it's a network of knots that can be untied through thought and discussion and that each of those knots is kept in place, precisely, by the idea that it cannot be thought or talked about freely. The act of thinking these things through is difficult, but it's the most intellectually honest you can take and is, finally, invigorating. If you can find a good analyst - one who won't fob you off with simplistic explanations or medication - the process can be as interesting and engrossing as any book, with the added bonus that it can save your life.
I totally agree they are no help at allQuote:
Originally Posted by cuppajoe_9
The Science of Happiness is the name of such a book.Quote:
Originally Posted by kathycf
Thank you for your post, and your advice. Unfortunately, I doubt if I would be comfortable talking about my depression to anyone I wasn't very good friends with. In fact, aside from in these forums, where I am annonymous, I have mentioned it only twice in my life, and one of those times I was exteremely drunk. I absolutely refuse to take medication for it, on the grounds that if I just want my emotions deadened I am perfectly capable of drinking.Quote:
Originally Posted by blp
(Just in case this post is worrying anybody: I am not an alcoholic, and never drink when I am feeling depressed.)
Since you won't see a therapist, I'm going to act like one - briefly: why wouldn't you feel comfortable talking about your depression to a stranger - one whom you knew was bound by a professional code of confidentiality? And is remaining 'comfortable' really such a great objective if it means you have to be unhappy?Quote:
Originally Posted by cuppajoe_9
I didn't say I won't, I said I'm not particularly enthralled with the idea. I would prefer to talk it over with one of my friends. And I have. And it helped. When that stops helping, then I'll see a therapist.Quote:
Originally Posted by blp