I read an article recently that talked about how mental disorders involving skewed perceptions might actually be the more accurate outlook.
What interested me in particular was the concept of depressive realism. Essentially, this is the idea that depressed people have a more accurate picture of reality than the population at large.
Studies by psychologists Alloy and Abramson (1979) and Dobson and Franche (1989) showed that depressed people appear to have a more realistic perception of their importance, reputation, locus of control, and abilities than those who are not depressed.
People without depression are more likely to have inflated self-images and look at the world through "rose-colored glasses".
Just thought I would share that, before I head off to bed. Long day today, early day tomorrow.
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4 comments:
I'm apparently living in a dreamland.
There is a fair amount of banter about pessimism and depression increasing risk of dementia...
Non depressed people tend to have a lower suicide rate... so maybe "non- depressive" state is an evolutionary advantage?
I agree with both of you :)
There's also this to consider. Desmond Morris wrote in 'The Human Zoo" that crowding and overpopulation in any animal society lead to increased incidences of depression and other 'aberrative' thought processes and behaviours. Whereas non-depressive thinking might be an evolutionary advantage in some, perhaps depressive thinking is nature's way of telling us to back off on the procreation and development.
However the act of attempting procreation is a pretty good anti-depressant! Just don't be too successful at it:o)
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