How Depression Physically Feels(passiveaggressionoftheworlds.substack.com)

1 pointby bunson_burner7 hours ago2 comments

chiefalchemist7 hours ago
I’d be curious to know how many people suffering from depression have been diagnosed with NPD. Focusing too much on oneself - like the writer of this substack- is unhealthy. If it doesn’t drive you mad, at the very least you’ll end up depressed.
A normal standard level of happiness comes from thinking about other things and other people.
Obviously the brain is a physical organ, like the heart, lungs or eyes, brains can be “defective.” You can’t think your way out of schizophrenia. That said, the power of thought and meta cognition (and neuroplasticity) is underestimated far more than it’s overestimated.
- bunson_burner6 hours ago
  I’m the author. I think the typical knee-jerk reaction would be to debate whether or not I have NPD (and I actually have thought about it) but I do agree that essentially too much introspection can be bad and that it’s critical to get out of your head and focus on the world around you. As much as I had a visceral reaction to the Marc Andreessen video that was going around, I have to admit I understood too well what he was talking about.
  In my case, I believe it’s something a bit more than that — for instance, I feel DRASTICALLY different under, say, certain kinds of drugs, indicating that this might be a chemical thing, and I also have not felt this way until somewhat recently going off prescription medication.
  This isn’t to say that I wouldn’t also benefit from essentially being forced to stop looking inward (i.e. have a job, get married, have kids, devote life to charity, etc.). But one of the issues I try to write about is that feeling the way I do makes even leaving the house a chore. It’s like having some kind of infection where the only antidote comes in the form of a 16 inch needle you have to plunge directly into your heart.
  - chiefalchemist5 hours ago
    To clarify, I wasn’t trying to belittle you. While the internet is fond of spreading myths about narcissism, few actual realize NPD is a proper disorder in the DSM-5.
    Btw, there are two types of NPD. The typical over the top bravado version, and the less recognizable “passive aggression “ version. Same core inner issues, just two different defense mechanisms.
    Things I’ve read that you might find fascinating a/o helpful:
    - The Courage to be Disliked. This book change my lens on human behavior - my own, as well as that of others.
    - Just about anything by Ellen Langer. She’s exceptional at challenging the status quo, and making “Gee, I never thought of that in that way” observations.
    - 50 Psychology Classics by Tom Butler Bowden. Even the brief summaries have helpful ideas.
    Again, I apologize if I stepped on your toes. That was not my intention. TBH I recently left a relationship where my exGF sounded a lot like you in many ways. In addition, Tho she said she was a recovering alcoholic, I’m convinced she suffered from NPD and recovery and AA simple fit that profile (I.e., lack of accountability, made playing the victim card easy, using it as a tool for manipulation, etc.)(1) I don’t beliefe it was intentional per se, as much as over a lifetime she had crafted a lifestyle for so long that it was perfectly natural for her. It wasn’t a defense mechanism. It was as natural as breathing. This will all make more sense once you read The Courage to Be Disliked
    (1) all these are classic NPD
    bunson_burner2 hours ago
    No worries, I didn’t get that sense. I just think most people would probably felt the need to defend themselves (and I did, albeit briefly, before reconsidering what you were saying, which, like I mentioned, I agree with). Thanks for the references, I wasn’t aware of the other version of NPD. I haven’t read the Courage to be Disliked but I’ll check it out.
7 hours ago
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