I second that experience. However, somewhere in the multidimensional spectrum that constitutes depression, there is a cliff where people can fall (for a variety of reasons, or in case of organic causes, for no apparent reason at all) into a deep cycle of clinical depression. That type of depression is characterized by a horrible crippling effect which prevents sufferers literally from accomplishing anything, including changing their lives for the better.
I'd even go so far as to say that clinical depression is probably over-diagnosed in cases where there are clear external reasons for the person having a crisis. Sometimes, having a crisis can be a perfectly normal and even "healthy" response to events. Though it is a bitter experience, it can even be productive, as you described. But at a certain point, when people fall of the previously mentioned cliff, the brain chemistry can change and make them prone to devastating episodes that are rightfully characterized as a disease.
The Ashkenazi are a fascinating case study for this subject. We still don't know whether a tendency towards being depressive is a biochemical tradeoff for heightened mental capabilities, or whether intelligence makes people miserable because it allows them to see the nature of reality more clearly. Maybe high intelligence and a sarcastic sense of realism about the world correlates with depression because it's the only logical response to the way the world works.
Is there really a higher incidence of depression among the Askenazi? I hadn't heard that before. I can see how German or European Jews would have been affected, possibly for generations after WWII, but that set does not include all Ashkenazis, and definitely includes some Sephardics.
I'd even go so far as to say that clinical depression is probably over-diagnosed in cases where there are clear external reasons for the person having a crisis. Sometimes, having a crisis can be a perfectly normal and even "healthy" response to events. Though it is a bitter experience, it can even be productive, as you described. But at a certain point, when people fall of the previously mentioned cliff, the brain chemistry can change and make them prone to devastating episodes that are rightfully characterized as a disease.
The Ashkenazi are a fascinating case study for this subject. We still don't know whether a tendency towards being depressive is a biochemical tradeoff for heightened mental capabilities, or whether intelligence makes people miserable because it allows them to see the nature of reality more clearly. Maybe high intelligence and a sarcastic sense of realism about the world correlates with depression because it's the only logical response to the way the world works.