Comments on: The Evolutionary Origins of Depression

By: Dandy

Dandy — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:38:03 +0000

Oh boy, another fine theory that cannot be proven to be true even 25% of the time, much less be proven to be an axiom.

When will those outside of that silly religion call psychology learn that it is simply a very lose form of belief, with not one single shred of scietific evidence to back up even a single one their theories?

As with most standard religion, some phsychologists actually believe they are there to make lives better, but have not one standard way of doing that.

By: Robin

Robin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:32:50 +0000

I’m not buying it. I’ve had depression for many years, and I’ve tried reading literature written by “experts” who have never experienced. much less overcome, depression like I have. How do I know this? They could never have completed the coursework to get their degrees if they had to live with it. I don’t “ruminate” on problems until I find a solution. I’m depressed because there are no solutions.

By: Zeytoun

Zeytoun — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:26:27 +0000

As a person who has gone through Major Depression, I agree with the article.

I think we really misunderstand depression. I experienced nearly 10 years of it (5 years in the middle being the most intense).

For the first half, I treated it as a meaningless chemical imbalance. I ignored it, I distracted it, it got worse, I medicated it. I nearly died.

For the second half, I treated it as a meaningful signal that my life had legitimate issues that needed solving. I spent a couple years in intense introspection, and deconstruction.

I addressed many, many issues. I no longer have depression. In spite of a childhood of extreme abuse, neglect, and dysfunction, I now am a fully-function adult with healthy relationships. I am not medicated, and I haven’t had a single session of therapy.

Granted it was a rough few years… but at least I got to the bottom of my issues.

By: JamesG

JamesG — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:42:36 +0000

I don’t buy it. There’s a huge difference between being “analytical” and being “depressed.” Many studies have revealed two key features of depression: 1. Cognitive distortions that can severely impair one’s ability to think rationally, and 2. A pervasive sense of hopelessness about solving one’s problems. Granted, there are many levels of depression, but I can’t see how any of them could make someone a “better” problem solver!

By: John

John — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:24:03 +0000

Thanks, Tim. You’re a good fella.

By: Timm

Timm — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:16:35 +0000

Seeing as how psychology and psychiatry aren’t even based on scientific principles, this article is a stretch.

By: trvllr

trvllr — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:34:12 +0000

While the question “is there an evolutionary benefit to ?” is legit, I really dislike how these studies are presented in the media.
As a depression patient myself I would argue that malfunctions are most of the time just that. Malfunctions. There have to be no “evolutionary roots” whatsoever. As long as it doesn’t mess with the patients capability to reproduce (much), evolution isn’t in the picture at all.

By: Tim Giachetti

Tim Giachetti — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:56:16 +0000

I’d like to take a little time and apologize to John and Alex, and I will do my best not to cuss.

I know alot about this affliction as my mother had, and my sister still has, uncontrollable depression.
I’m not sure I would agree that it is evolutionary but other psychosis are. I.E. Alcoholism, Bi-polar traits etc.

Sometimes it pays to have low to no morals and not dote on the past.

By: Gauldar

Gauldar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:43:03 +0000

Depression has also evolved as a defence mechanism for people to avoid going into risky situations due to a bad experience or as a cover for some other mental disorder. There are many varieties of depression though, and each one should be dealt with differently. There’s still a lot of misconceptions about it floating around, but it isn’t fully understood, but we are better off now then we were 20 years ago in understanding it.

By: Dale

Dale — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:33:10 +0000

There are several levels of depression; not everyone who gets depressed is suicidal, sometimes they just feel down.

I don’t think the article is correct though, sometimes people get depressed about things that happened in the past for which there is no solution.

By: eni

eni — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:40:14 +0000

What?
I understand that some diseases come with evolutionary advantages, but this idea doesn’t make much sense to me at all. Most depressed people aren’t thinking analytically about serious problems- they’re thinking analytically about how much they think their lives suck. And since their lives usually don’t actually suck that much- their perceptions colored by depression- I can’t see how this helps.

By: Sylvain

Sylvain — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:06:54 +0000

I see why a lot of artists with suicide tendencies are genius, but what a price to pay !

By: abdulhamid

abdulhamid — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:36:49 +0000

Now I see why the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has such a high suicide rate.

By: SenorMysterioso

SenorMysterioso — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:37:46 +0000

Depression often leads to death

By: free games for kids

free games for kids — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:31:53 +0000

Still, being depressed in the long run isn’t particularly a good thing.