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SarahC comments on Strategies for dealing with emotional nihilism - Less Wrong
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Are we talking about nihilism here or depression?
Nihilism is a philosophical position.
Depression is a mood - a physiological state which causes a psychological state.
Nihilism is sometimes offered by depressed people as a rationalization/justification of their behavior. It is an effect, not a cause.
Chronic depression can be treated pharmaceutically. Episodes of depression often respond to physical activity. Running is a good suggestion for some people.
Nihilism, as a philosophical position, can be treated by reading better philosophy. However, treating nihilism does nothing to cure depression.
I'm not talking about philosophical nihilism. I'm talking about a kind of psychological state: lack of motivation, lack of pleasure and desire, temptation to give up on everything. It's the sense that very little matters.
I didn't want to call it "depression" because I didn't want to deal with the issue of whether this is a part of normal life or a pathology -- I thought I would describe the psychological state itself, and taboo the name for it. I actually don't know when and for whom pharmacological solutions are appropriate. That's something I'd like to understand better.
Me too considering I've been on an SSRI for 2.5 years and I've just gotten progressively worse. I've asked for a consultation with a psychiatrist so hopefully he or she can shed light on the matter.