southernhybrid
Contributor
Depression is a huge spectrum, ranging from feeling upset, hurt, or just lonely, right upto chronic and clinical depression. Obviously, if you are towards the right end of the spectrum, then it is far more serious.
Humans are social creatures, by nature. We may end up doing a lot of things online and alone, but the fact remains that we need social contact, and human interaction fairly regularly.
Yes, we don't want to be constantly bombarded by personal attention. But human interaction, especially if it is with people we like, and respect, very much can, and does, cheer us up.
Introspection, IMO, is a different subject altogether. We can do it when we are happy, when we are depressed, or when we are somewhere in between.
What we call "introspection", when we are depressed, IMO, is more like "wallowing in our misery". It is usually not productive. I would personally prefer talking it out.
You are right! I have been trying to decide which type of depression is being discussed in this thread, the mlld type that most of us feel now and then, the short term situational depression that is often helped by medication and/or time, or the severe type, usually coded as Major Depression that some people suffer from for most of their lives.
For example, depression and bipolar disorder run in my family I had an uncle who suffered from Major Depression for as long as I knew him. Sometimes he was with drawn. Other times he was hospitalized for his depression, and given whatever treatments and medication were available back in those days. Once he wrote a book about the history of our family. The last time I saw him was at a wedding. He appeared to be trying to be upbeat. But, sometime later, he committed suicide.
I had a brief bout of postpartum depression when my son was born nearly 50 years ago. But, I think it was more a situational depression as my ex was drafted when our baby was 2 weeks old. It didn't last long and we ended up living in Texas during his time in the army.
We all have some bad days when we feel down. I can't say that I'm introspective when. feel down. I just try to find ways to escape, like listening to music or watching some good comedy etc.
I don't think we can generalize about depression. It comes in many different shades and people respond in different ways. While medication is sometimes useful, that's not always the case. I believe that my late father was helped for awhile after he received ECT. He didn't think so, but I could tell by his attitude and increased energy, that it appeared to help.
A person can lose a spouse and never get over it, or they can grief for awhile, and then move on. We are all victims of genetics and the circumstances in our lives. When it comes to depression, some people never find a cure, while others do. But, unless you're an extreme introvert who hates being around people, sharing your life with others sometimes helps.
If one experiences mild to moderate chronic depression, being around others usually helps, as long as your don't burden others with your problems too much. When someone constantly complains about everything that brings them down, they can become too difficult to keep supporting emotionally.