Analytical rumination and manly depression Options

[Par Deus]

I've consciously noticed myself doing this a great deal in the last couple of years as my understanding of the world and the people in it has become less positive, but I've certainly thought of the way I do it as probably, if not at least quite possibly maladaptive (i.e. the nerd cliff of ultra-smart folk).

But, as if God were helping me in my fight, yesterday, I came across two different instances of theory of it as normal and positive.


http://secularright.org/wordpress/?p=2890

"Depression is the primary emotional condition for which help is sought. Depressed people often report persistent rumination, which involves analysis, and complex social problems in their lives. Analysis is often a useful approach for solving complex problems, but it requires slow, sustained processing, so disruption would interfere with problem solving. The analytical rumination hypothesis proposes that depression is an evolved response to complex problems, whose function is to minimize disruption and sustain analysis of those problems by (a) giving the triggering problem prioritized access to processing resources, ( reducing the desire to engage in distracting activities (anhedonia), and © producing psychomotor changes that reduce exposure to distracting stimuli. As processing resources are limited, sustained analysis of the triggering problem reduces the ability to concentrate on other things. The hypothesis is supported by evidence from many levels-genes, neurotransmitters and their receptors, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, neuroenergetics, pharmacology, cognition, behavior, and efficacy of treatments. In addition, the hypothesis provides explanations for puzzling findings in the depression literature, challenges the belief that serotonin transmission is low in depression, and has implications for treatment."



and:


http://www.the-spearhead.com/2009/10/22/the-cave/


"Basically what happens in the Cave is that the man shuts off all external inputs and either enters a sort of purely meditative state or engages in some activity that focuses his hands and the conscious part of his brain, keeping them busy, while the unconscious does its work.

First he reaches down into his gut and asks himself “How do I really feel about this?” He may be feeling 100 different things at once, but if he sits quietly with himself, and only himself, sooner or later a couple of reactions and feelings will bubble up to the surface as being more important than all the rest.

Then, he goes up into his head an asks himself “What do I really think about this?” Again, he may be thinking 100 different things, which he shuffles around, and sorts, and discards until he has narrowed it down to the most important couple.

The next step is an internal negotiation/mediation process in which he weighs each side against the other and asks himself questions “Is this issue which has me so bothered really significant, or is it trivial? Am I angry over something petty, or does this really violate a deeply held principle? Do I need to fight for this, or do I need to blow it off?”

Eventually he will work through all the internal conflicts and confusion and decide on a course of action which is right for him – both for what he feels, and what he believes. He will then emerge from the Cave in a much better mood."



Do these ring true for anyone else as far as how you tend to work through things???

[bdog527]

I can totally relate to the analytical rumination and anhedonia that accompanies the realization that the life we are taught to aspire to is essentially a meaningless illusion. I believe that this is partly what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote that "In Adam we die..."

I find my remedies in contemplative meditation and the use of certain herbs.

[Section 8]

Cf. Melanie Klein & WR Bion re. the depressive position.

[maxhealth]

All that ruminating is just sissy stuff. Go beat someone up and skank a ho and you'll feel better.

But seriously, you can't think yourself into depression or think yourself out of it. It does help to think positive and if you aren't depressed, just moody, then you can overcome it that way. Actual depression is a biochemical situation and it may be genetic or due to diet and a number of factors. We could toss around a lot of big words but we will flash forward to the cure.

There are a number of cures on the market. Stay away from sawbones and their scripts for the most part. Tricyclics do work but have major side effects and are expensive. Simple home grown cures are best. First of all, cut way way back on your sugar intake. Sugar contributes to moodiness and gives bad health. Common things that help include st john's wort. Take a few tabs a day for a few days and see how you feel. If nothing happens, up the dose. Other good things that work include creatine. It works great for some people. If all else fails, try salvia divinorum. No, not to trip on, just to use enough you feel a buzz. Works like a charm and lasts for a day or longer. I use plain leaf and smoke it but you can hold it in your mouth like a quid. Takes about an hour to kick in and you wonder where the blues went to.

[Par Deus]

Cf. Melanie Klein & WR Bion re. the depressive position.

Awesomely, my post is already 4th on the first page of google when I cut and paste that entire thing.

[ozzman]

I can absolutely relate, how else would you deal with your problems and with life in general. If you don't isolate, enter "the desert" from time to time, you cannot assess what is important in your life.

Depression is a thinking man's tool.

[Ubiyca]

I can absolutely relate, how else would you deal with your problems and with life in general. If you don't isolate, enter "the desert" from time to time, you cannot assess what is important in your life.

Depression is a thinking man's tool.

You just blew my mind.

[blarger]

I don't think entering "the cave" or the "desert" is indicative of depression.

It probably just means you are a smart person, facing a problem, who wants to see it from all angles.

But if you do it too long and too often, you inevitably make the problem worse. It can sneak up on you, especially in the darker months.

[enemy]

You people are a bunch of solipsistic amoebae.

[liorrh]

its good to be aware.

[200wannabe]

I don't think entering "the cave" or the "desert" is indicative of depression.

It probably just means you are a smart person, facing a problem, who wants to see it from all angles.

But if you do it too long and too often, you inevitably make the problem worse. It can sneak up on you, especially in the darker months.

Agreed.

Is there not a difference between shutting of all external stimuli (voluntarily or otherwise) to ‘analytically ruminate’ (think!) about complex problems and being ‘depressed’ for no apparent reason when life seems positive and the outlook is sunny? Whether or not that is the result of a chemical imbalance or not is a different issue.

It is all too easy to become mired in overanalyses and lose perspective.

Sometimes forcing yourself out of that cave and spending time with quality friends (not discussing 'the issues') and just having fun/being around those you can relax with, can help spur the subconscious to a 'solution'.

[Ubiyca]

You people are a bunch of solipsistic amoebae.

You just blew my mind too.