I really wish these kinds of discussions would begin and end with "I think you're depressed, it's a medical condition, go see a doctor.
Well, it's a bit more complicated than that.
First, diagnosing strangers with psychiatric disorders over the Internet has a long history and, um, let's say it didn't always work out well :-D
Second, depression is a spectrum issue -- there are clear extremes but also there is a big muddle in the middle. You have to be careful of medicalizing psychological states which is a bad direction to go into.
First, diagnosing strangers with psychiatric disorders over the Internet has a long history and, um, let's say it didn't always work out well :-D
Agreed. That's what the "I think" and "doctor" parts are for. Better safe than sorry.
Second, depression is a spectrum issue -- there are clear extremes but also there is a big muddle in the middle.
That's why there are experts whose job is to assess what's medical and what's not.
What is bad about medicalization? This could be an interesting topic to explore.
If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.