verbminx

I already wrote a response but my computer crashed.

(anyhow- arguing will probably prove to be fruitless but that has never stopped me before))

"depression is a disease of intense self-absorption. most people who really suffer from it are in their own little black holes."
Basically, that's YOUR truth, that's your perception. You are describing the depressed person in YOUR life, but it doesn't apply to everyone.

Point in case: My own mother. She has suffered from clinical depression for about 5 decades (since childhood) but she doesn't suffer from "intense self absorption". She has been medicated, in therapy, etc etc...She is the exact opposite of what you have described, she is compassionate and has devoted her life to family and to social work... she exceeds the expectation of her job, she puts other people before herself and she has taken care of me (the fuck-up, the possible black-hole) for the better part of 23 years.
There were times in my childhood when she seemed withdrawn and distant... these were times when the depression was all-consuming... but aside from that she has concealed it completely, it doesn't DEFINE her.. its a mood disorder that she lives with.
That's one example. I am well aware that my own life, my own personality probably supports your point. If people with depression are black-holes then I wonder why you are interacting with me. I certainly am self-absorbed and selfish to say the least. Those are my tendencies, my weaknesses and its apparent.
I had several boyfriends and friends with depression-everything from low-grade to full out psycho drug-addicted untreated bipolar disorder- and they were all different- they all expressed it differently. I guess you could see the mental illness MANIFESTS differently in different people.
Also, I have "been" different people, so to speak... meaning that I have behaved in vastly different ways throughout my life... I used to be completely withdrawn and guileless while experiencing depression and then for a time I was very angry and volatile.
Phases I suppose.
I have seen depression bring out compassion in people, self awareness, humility and I have seen it bring out the absolute worst.
The black-hole concept you describe is one way to look at it. Depression and other mental illnesses 'cause' people to behave in a variety of ways.
Just think of the way that some people express their PANIC as anger/rage (often men I believe), and how others turn that anxiety inward until it manifests in chronic health problems.

"and most people around them end up being just exhausted from trying to keep that person going in the world... trying to include them, raise their spirits, anything. "

I lived with two "mentally ill" parents and they were like night and day. My mother didn't exhaust me, she has never asked me to 'raise her spirits' or put me in that position... my father, on the other hand...well, you have read about him.

I could write about the other close relatives I have who are disturbed in their own ways and that would further illustrate how diversity of people w/ depression.
(I'll spare you)


"it actually robs artists of their best working time. etc."

I also have to disagree with this statement; that isn't necessarily true in my experience.