Hacker News Reader

Comment by grae_QED | Hacker News Reader

I couldn't agree more. It was also a red flag when she said that she wanted to normalize her depression. Depression, like any other mental illness, should be destigmatized but not normalized.

Through out the entire post she outlined exactly why it should not be normalized. It's a debilitating disorder that should not be left untreated. I think to try and normalize it would leave the impression that severe depression is analogous to having a hard day. This is because to most people that is the closest thing they have experienced to severe depression, but in reality it's very different.

I think by doing this she is actually working against her own interests.

View on HN

I agree with you about "normalization" vs "de-stigmatization", but I can't imagine she meant "normalization" like this?

> people like me are here, everywhere, you could be me at any point in your life

That's a very important point, and I believe that's what she meant by "normalise". "Normalise" in the "people with depression are normal people with an illness, not 'ill people', anyone can be affected because it's a normal illness like an infection" kind of way, which more or less equals de-stigmatization, right?

But English is not my first language, it's totally possible I'm reading this the wrong way, feel free to correct me if that's not a possible way to read this article. :-)

I can't really imagine that anyone with depression would really want to "normalise" it in the dictionary way, by suggesting that it should be untreated and a "normal way of life". On the contrary, nobody should have to suffer from this. :-/

The word "normalize" carries a lot of cultural baggage / implication since its adoption by the woke twitter crowd. Often, "normalize X" means "I want X to be common, I encourage doing X".

On the topic of destigmatization, I recommend this Robert Sapolsky lecture (on the neurobiology of depression) to everyone to understand just how physical and systemic depression is: https://youtu.be/NOAgplgTxfc.

For understanding how lifestyle changes can help treat depression, I recommend this: https://youtu.be/drv3BP0Fdi8. He contradicts the author on the point of exercise—it is one of the most potent medicines (though hard to administer to yourself when you’re depressed).

Reflecting on my own (extensive) experiences with depression and its co-conspirators, I think there are two deep fears that inhibit seeking or sticking with treatment:

1. What happens if I don’t get better? Then I’m hopeless.

2. What happens if I do get better (and it’s not enough, or I ruin my progress with a relapse)?

I don’t have a definitive answer to either, but reasonable responses include: trying and failing feels better than languishing/surrendering (not trying is the only thing that’s likely hopeless), it is (or should be) OK to make nonlinear progress in managing chronic illness (depression or otherwise), and the universe/existence is at once magnificent and meaningless so just try to relax and enjoy the ride with your fellow creatures.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com