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Posted 5/31/2005 8:57 AM (GMT -7)
Hi all, I usually post on the IBS board.  I was just wondering if anyone knows the difference between being "depressed" or just being a pessimist?

Thanks!

Posted 5/31/2005 9:20 AM (GMT -7)
Hi 7Lil,

Personally, I don't think there is much difference. If you are looking at the world in a half empty kind of way it pretty much means that you have lost hope and don't look at the good things in life. This is definitely a sign of depression. Even though there are different ranges of depression, they should all be taken seriously because feelings can change so quickly. I understand the IBS because as you know I post there too and IBS causes depression and anxiety. Being sick period will do that. Please keep posting in this forum and express to us what you are feeling. I know it is tough at first and you may want to read a few more posts or get to know a few of the depression people before you do but remember we are always here to help each other. Hugs!!
Posted 5/31/2005 9:33 AM (GMT -7)
I think if you have clinical depression, it's because of an imbalance of some kind. If one is truly a pessimist, it's more of a choice.
Posted 5/31/2005 9:34 AM (GMT -7)
Hi dbab, nice to see a familiar face (name) around here. I'm not sure I'm ready to admit I'm depressed. Maybe I'm in denial, I don't know. Maybe I'm just in a continuous bad mood. Maybe it's just a combination of unfortunate events that has me so low. Whatever it is, it's making me dislike life. However, I'm not sure I'm ready (or ever will be ready) to seek help. Thanks for listening though.... I just wondered what the difference was between depression and pessimism. Thanks for your thoughts.
Posted 5/31/2005 9:36 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks, ucforme. I haven't figured out if I choose to be this way or if its just the way I am. Aren't there different degrees of depression?
Posted 5/31/2005 10:53 AM (GMT -7)
hi -
you can do a search (like google) on depression and there is a questionnaire to see if you are "clinically depressed" you have to met 5 out of the 9. I think I have the link. Here:
http://www.depression.com/depression_questionnaire.html
Hope that helps.
I don't know how to make it link - you are going to have to cut and paste, sorry!!!!
dammy
Posted 6/2/2005 7:25 AM (GMT -7)
The only way to really get officially dx is through a professional.  I believe that pessimism and hopelessness are signs of depression or at least heading in that direction.  Although chemical imbalance is definitely a cause of depression, it is just one cause.  Chemical imbalance is also caused by the foods we eat, medications we take, etc. so it is also environmental.  Many other factors also play a role such as stress, illnesses, drug use, losing a loved one, etc .  Many studies have been done with IBS alone and concluded that more than 90% of IBS sufferers also have some sort of psychiatric disorder with generalized anxiety disorder being the at the top followed by depression as a close second.
Posted 6/4/2005 4:12 PM (GMT -7)

I am a bit confused as to why you say that you don't think you will ever go to therapy?  It is not a sign of weakness to seek help or a diagnosis. Many people live with depression for years, and gradually get worse, because they feel they can "tough it out" and not get the help they need.  I feel it is a sign of strength to admit that you are not feeling well, whether it is depression or pessisim as you call it. :-)  It is not fun admiting we need help, but depression and other mental illness does not have the stigma it used to - it certainly wouldn't hurt just to go in and get screened or talk to someone.  Even if it is "pessimism" you can still get the cognitive therapy to change the way you think.

If you decide for some reason not to seek help (and I hope you change your mind someday) there is an excellent self help workbook (best seller) on changing your thoughts by cognitive therapy,  It is called "Ten Days to Self-Esteem - defeat depression and discover the joys in daily living" by David Burns MD.  It is a great workbook on pessimism, depression and negative thinking.  Good luck! :-)

Posted 6/4/2005 6:36 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Rianna, there are a couple reasons why I say I might never go to therapy... 1) "Depression" isn't acceptable in my family, and 2) I have got a pluthera of medical bills I can't pay for already (for my other problems) that I simply cannot afford to tack on therapy. I am not suggesting by any means that depressision signifies weakness. I have a couple close friends who have been suffering with it for many years (one's on Zoloft, the other on Xanex) and I don't see them as more weak than anyone else. I also have an ex who suffers from is severely and has never sought out help. He claims he doesn't want to go from being depressed to being a drug addict. With all these people around me who are always so negative do you think it could be contagious? Seriously, can other peoples pessimism rub off on you?
Anyway, thanks for everyones input. Rianna, I think I might look into that book you mentioned. - Thanks!
Posted 6/5/2005 12:13 PM (GMT -7)
I've been lurking on this board for a while, usually I post on the lupus board, but I just wanted to mention

the dictionary!

Sometimes when I wonder about subtle differences between words that simple tool helps. I'm picking up my good old-fashoned, hand-held, PAPER dictionary now....

depression -- most of the defintion & examples mention feeling or being sad, until it gets to the stuff relating to clinical depression

pessimism -- inclination to empathize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilites or to expect the worst possible outcome

Personally, I think pessimism is a 'habit', and I do think it can "rub-off" on you, just like picking up a word or phrase that a friend uses.

I think depression can also be a habit, but is *most often* either situation or chemically induced.
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