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Comment by virgil_disgr4ce | Hacker News Reader

Where do you think depression fits into this model? I have depression and take antidepressants, but I still experience an undercurrent of inescapable ennui that appears to be resistant to even the most interesting, well-defined and meaningful work.

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IMO depression is something that only resolves with endurance and time. Luckily there will be people in your life that will find you or that you may find by chance that will help you with this. All this happens on its own time though, it sounds a bit religious but one needs to have faith. I am not a doctor but I wouldn't recommend anti depressants to anyone really as it numbs you and takes away your ability to think which means that it doesn't really solve depression. On the other hand if you're going to kill yourself then anti depressants may help you but always bear in mind that they should be temporary and that you should try and get off them if you can.

> but I wouldn't recommend anti depressants to anyone really as it numbs you

I don't want to get into a thing with this but please don't tell this to anyone. It's neither medical nor scientific.

I'd say my point is just as valid as yours. There will be an equal number of people that are helped by my view as would be by yours.

YMMV but it's generally possible to improve that sensation over time by conscious appreciation and a return to less information-intensive activities.

Generally philosophical visions of the world are a product of emotions and neurological and physical conditions that are sometimes as mundane as bad digestion.

I don't have any world-changing advice on that front, other than having compassion for yourself.

We have an article that might have a useful tidbit or two for you: https://www.deprocrastination.co/blog/stages-of-self-develop...

Speaking of compassion for yourself, I also often feel lonely and depressed. Somebody once suggested that I read "Radical Acceptance", a book by Tara Brach. I've only managed to read part of it before putting it down. I couldn't really agree with some of the arguments in the book (e.g. people in the West having more self-acceptance problems due to biblical story of the original sin). YMMV.

ennui ennui /ɒnˈwiː / ▸ noun [mass noun] a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement: he succumbed to ennui and despair. – ORIGIN mid 18th century: French , from Latin in odio(n-), from mihi in odio est ‘it is hateful to me’. Compare with annoy.

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