Have you ever talked to a friend who’s feeling depressed and while they share their thoughts, some of what they say actually sounds really wise and logical? They’re really good at explaining things in a clear and logical way. It is too common for it to be a coincidence. It is a pattern. In fact, ongoing research and some existing studies have found links between depression and rationality. Let’s talk about it. Why are depressed people more logical?
Depressive Realism and Logical
The concept of depressive realism suggests that people who are battling depression perceive the world more accurately, especially in situations beyond their control. They see things without the rose-colored glasses, often worn by individuals influenced by optimism bias. The tendency to always think things will work out perfectly, maybe a little too perfectly. For example, in situations beyond human control, depressed people may be more accurate in assessing their chances of success or survival compared to someone who is not depressed. This clarity can be a two-edged sword. It can help them avoid unrealistic expectations and subsequent disappointments, but it can also lead to feelings of helplessness.
Heightened Awareness and Depressed People
Research indicates that depressed individuals may be better at forecasting negative events. For example, they can more accurately predict potential failures, such as failing a class, breaking up with a partner, or facing a divorce. This heightened awareness allows them to recognize, prepare for, and potentially mitigate these outcomes and accept what they can’t change. This form of logical thinking is rooted in realism.
Self-Evaluation and Depressed People
People with depression tend to have a more honest and critical self-assessment, including their talents and faults. They are often more aware of their strengths and weaknesses compared to those who are overly optimistic. Also, they tend to spot depressive symptoms in other people easily and quickly. This was proven by a 1993 study titled Cognitive Biases in Interpersonal Perception, explanatory Style. Depressed people often have a more realistic way of explaining things. For example, rather than blaming a bad presentation solely on bad luck or external circumstances, they might acknowledge their own lack of preparation or being bad at public speaking. In general, love the insights so far.
Depressed People Can Be Logical
Does this mean only depressed people can be logical? No. As a matter of fact, depressive realism isn’t always healthy as it leads to overgeneralization. There’s a difference between being realistic and just being negative all the time. Sure, some individuals who are down might be better at predicting bad stuff, but others might just see negativity everywhere, even when things are good. It’s kind of like a filter that only lets the bad stuff through pessimism. Let’s say someone is good at predicting bad stuff because they’re depressed. It might sound like they’re being realistic, but it
Can also lead to pessimism and being stuck.
Balance And Freedom: Depressed People
They might not even see the point of trying if they think everything will go wrong anyway. This focus on potential failures can make them stop trying to improve their situation leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy where their negative expectations come true due to inaction. Depressive realism is often explored as plot devices in film. From Marvels Thanos to attack on Titan’s, Aaron Yeager main anti-heroes manifest depressive realism. They believe balance and freedom require extreme sacrifice and harsh actions. Thanos believes to sustain life across the galaxy, overpopulation must be addressed. Aaron understands that to protect his people and secure their future, he must embrace brutal measures leading him to initiate the rumbling.
A catastrophic event he believes is necessary despite its devastating consequences. This grim acknowledgement of reality showcases their depressive realism. While the argument for depressive realism is valid, one must always strive for balance. You can definitely be happy, healthy, and think clearly all at the same time. It is possible to be optimistic while staying grounded in reality. Embracing a balanced perspective allows you to see both the gray clouds and the sunlight emerging behind them.
Dr. Abid Hussain Nawaz, Post Doc and Ph.D.
Ajmal Rabbani, Physics Subject Educationist and Researcher
Dr. Ghulam Abbas, Ph. D
Noreen Akhtar, Educationist and Researcher
Great effort