I don't know how more people aren't depressed

[Springisnear4]

Life just is depressing imo. You work all the hours with no appreciation for someone who would replace you tomorrow, everything is really expensive, you just go through the motions going on some semi average holiday once a year, most days are the same, tiring and boring.

I agree, and perspective. However it is easier said than done when you're in a black hole with no way out. Depression is like black smoke infecting every thought.
It needs to be a huge mind shift from "everything is shit" to "I have a lot of good things that I do appreciate" to then "I'm working on making my life the best it can be". That is impossible when you're in the thick of it.

Depends on your outlook on life. You sound like a negative person. If you think that you have a job that pays you enough to go on holiday each year, you have a job that means you can pay bills and buy food then you'll think your life isn't that bad. Try listing 3 things you're grateful for at the end of every day. It's a good way to start to change your mindset.

Life isn’t depressing for many people or they’re able to enjoy the small things and make the most of their lot.

You’re obviously ill though which is a different thing. Fortunately, no matter what life has thrown at me I’ve found happiness or contentment in my garden, friends, hobbies, holidays, nice food etc.

That’s an interesting perspective, Are you quite wealthy? How else do you put food the table and roof over your head?

I agree with much of your post. I definitely agree that you can't suddenly find motivation to change things easily.
But, respectfully, the bit about enjoying the little things varies depending on severity and type of depression. I've definitely experienced the thing you've described. Major breakdowns with a total unravelling where getting through the day, or worse still the night, was labour in itself. I desperately wanted to lose consciousness and totally malfunctioned. I couldn't last long like that, and fortunately it was short-lived. I've then moved up a notch - still depressed, but beginning to see chinks of light, and in those times I did find mindfully enjoying the tiny things really helpful. Little steps towards recovery, and that was part of it. So, I guess we're all unique.
I know what you mean though, I think many people confuse depression with general sadness, and they're not the same things.

Well a lot of people are depressed. But you get those who are genuinely happy with their lives, either because life is great for them, or their bar is low. And then there's those who just try not to think about it, focus on the 'little picture' and life's small pleasures and get by.

Though my default is more anxiety than depression. But I've had major suicidal depressive episodes, and I now feel so sorry for people who battle severe depression all their lives. A completely horrific thing 😔

OP, I'm the same. Like you, I've had numerous appointments with counsellors and psychologists (both privately and on the NHS). I've been on antidepressant medication since I was 16, followed by anti-anxiety medication at 24. Nothing has worked, at least not long-term. In my teens, I tried all the stuff advised (mindfulness, more exercise, eating well, supplements, trying to socialise more) and everything failed. I'm terrible at most things. I had a complete breakdown a year ago and have struggled to work since.

When I look at my family, I think we are all hard-wired to be miserable, neurotic and prone to addictive behaviour (my mother is an alcoholic). I genuinely do not think I have felt genuine joy since childhood. Several of my family members received ECT in the 70s/80s, which did relieve their symptoms but also caused memory loss. I don't know the solution.

I honestly don't know how most people enjoy life. When I think about the reality of existence I become very frightened and upset.

I look at our 'modern lifestyles' and it seems absurd a lot of the time so I can understand why people get depressed and obviously sometimes that leads to severe depression.

What keeps me from feeling down (I won't use the word depressed here as I don't feel I am) is to focus on the beauty of nature. Walking my dog and listening and looking at the wildlife instills a calming effect and brightens my mood.

To me life is a spectrum of colours. I've been clinically depressed since I was 14. I often feel bleak, hopeless, sad etc. But there is also a lot of beauty in life as well as darkness. I feel the joys and the terrible lows.

What has helped me is anti depressants. I'm currently on a very high dose but can't see me ever coming off them. I've changed brands over the years as they stop working sometimes and those periods are awful. I'm very lucky to have not felt suicidal since I was a teen when I did attempt suicide and self harm.

I would say I definitely am depressed (not about money) - I just can’t be fucking arsed with trying to get a doctors appointment to waffle on about it - I don’t have the energy with the battle of getting an appointment.
Just very low about stuff and it’s not going away. I’m doing all the things I know I should be.

@custardlover beautiful

@Springisnear4
I really hope things improve for you ... sending love

I rmemeber as a late teen being utterly confused at the fact we go to work Monday to Friday 9-5pm and then off the weekend but it usually consists of doing washing, tidying, food shopping etc and prepping to go back to work again on the Monday and repeat. It seemed so odd to me we did this week after week and year and year in order to survive before we inevitably die anyway. Totally perplexed me about the meaning of life... Any way I know Mon-Fri 9-5pm probably would be preferable compared to some people's work patterns. I don't think of it as much now

Are you getting treatment for depression OP?
I only ask I am. I've been on ADs a few years. I'm ok with this.
I think a lot of people are actually depressed. I have negative narrow minded parents, they didn't instill any confidence in me. My sibling has had depression since his teens, and i think I'm someone who is more pre disposed to depression. It's always there and I've learned to live with it.
There's no denying life is tough. I don't have a lot of money or a great relationship. But I find positives in every day. It's little things that you can enjoy.
I love exercising in the morning before my daughter is awake, it sets you up for the day even if it's just 15 minutes.
I love driving to work with my favourite tunes on, a nice coffee, reading a book. Laughing with colleagues and friends. A beer in the evening. Mumsnet. Good films. Yoga. Cuddles with my daughter.
We are very privileged to live in this country.
Start small. What little things can you do daily to make you smile?

Same. I even remember asking my dad when I was about 13 what was the point of life. He said it was to enjoy it as best you can. It's stuck with me, and been my philosophy ever since, actively trying to make everything I do as enjoyable as I possibly can and taking every opportunity to do things that give me pleasure. I do think focusing on the little picture is key too, so whatever is going on for me, there's always something I can find pleasure from. Obviously that's not the 'cure' for depressive illness, but for the lower level ennui and feeling of what's the point, it helps.

I’m not depressed, but I am finding life relentless and the cost of things worrying at the moment, and I do worry about my kids’ futures and what will become of us all (with climate change, the threat of war, being replaced at work by AI etc etc). 20 years ago life felt easy and affordable - now the cost of just existing is hard to meet on low wages (which I’m also stuck in due to family circumstances). Inequality is growing and I find myself wondering how on earth some can afford expensive cars, vastly overpriced houses etc. I am grateful for what I personally have, I love my family and I have plenty of little things that make me happy, but we are living in uncertain times (and a lot of people are depressed).

I don't think work should be seen as a reason for depression. Work is purposeful, at least it should be. We wouldn't want our car mechanics or plumbers to give up - we would all struggle. (Other people are also important to the functioning of society of course!).

However, if you are depressed about life and work, it may be because you are depressed; I hope you are able to get better.

If it's not because of depression but because of circumstance, then I hope that these circumstances change.

That's capitalism

Indeed. I think people are hopelessly depressed but have got really good at hiding it.

Without my cat I don't know where I would be in all honesty.

Because it's an illness, but a social comment.

I'm very very low at the moment after a series of really bad knocks in life. I feel panicky, anxious and sad a lot. I function and hide well but inside I'm a ball of anxiety. I've dealt with hard knocks before but finding this bad run harder.