Depression is the result of how you interpret things. While genetics can make you more susceptible, thought is always the root cause. Your belief in the inevitability of depression is only leading to more depression.
This kind of thinking is precisely why I stick around to argue about this subject when it pops up.
You have cause and effect reversed, and you're not up-to-date on current medical research. The science has advanced far beyond, "you're depressed because you're thinking bad things."
There is evidence linking it to intestinal bacteria: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2095769-gut-bacteria-sp... and also http://www.nature.com/news/gut-brain-link-grabs-neuroscienti...
And inflammation: http://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1741-7...
And circadian rhythm / sleep: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/new-forensic-techn... and https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fighting-depressi...
I think it's likely that within the next 50 years a treatable, biological, root cause will be found which is somehow related to all of these, and I hope that by then the lay-public will have moved away from the opinion they share with Scientology.
> Your belief in the inevitability of depression is only leading to more depression.
You have misinterpreted the purpose of my comments. I'm not here to tell people with depression how to improve their lives, because I'm not qualified to do that (words which I wish everyone on HN would hear in their head before they write anything about anything). I'm just here to clear up common misconceptions about the causes of depression and what it's like to experience it.
> You mean well, and what you're saying may be helpful to people who struggle with certain feelings from time to time. But statements like these are extremely frustrating for people with actual depression.
Discussing depression goes down-hill everytime someone pivots to what people "should" or "shouldn't" say. We're not trying to actively console someone with depression here, we're merely having a discussion on our thoughts/ideas/experiences of depression, so I think your defensive retort is quite misguided.
Regardless, I agree with your statement, but I'm at a loss to your intent. I've been depressed and yeah, it's not really helpful when others say something that translates to:
> Depression is the result of how you interpret things.
But looking back on it - at least from my perception and reality of the world; it's 100% truth. However, is stating this helpful? is it the right approach to trying to help someone who is going through depression? absolutely not.
Don't let the social politics muddy the raw discussion when appropriate, please.
> Your belief in the inevitability of depression is only leading to more depression.
This was definitely the biggest hurdle for me. The echo-chamber of "This isn't your fault! depression is a disease we'll have a cure for one day!". The vortex of negativity and the constant apathy was fed by these sorts of statements.
Mindfulness was my cure. An ultimatum of either "I end my life" or "I do what is within my control, to change the way I think." It's alot more complicated than that in reality, but the heart of what I'm trying to say is there.