Okay. So, would you say that mental disorders are facilitated by a nihilistic outlook?

I always used to joke that I was an eternalist because I wanted everything to go on forever. In the past I was diagnosed as having adjustment disorder, which is about the same thing. I had and still have a very difficult time adjusting to change. I present this as a philosophical problem, because in a way, it is, isn't it?

For instance, I was very upset when my dog died at the age of 12, because I heard that this particular breed could live until 15 or 18. But the dog lived a perfectly respectable 12 years, had a good life, and died quickly, which was a blessing. This is just one example of an adjustment disorder resulting in prolonged grieving, but I have a tendency to do it with everything...friendships, finances, jobs, etc. I just want everything to...not be impermanent. Haha. Then about 18 months ago my only sister died. She had been ill for some time so her death was not a surprise. But, per usual, my grief was excessive and prolonged.

Since then I have fallen into a nihilistic outlook and only very small things bring me pleasure...like a cup of coffee, or suddenly waking up and realizing it is early and I can go back to sleep for another hour. To be honest, I would like to get my life back before falling into this state of dysthymia, which seems like just another word for your garden variety nihilism. Can a philosopher be a kind of doctor of the soul? (I have read Man's Search for Meaning about a dozen times, and lately I feel that maybe his whole theory was wrong, and that the more selfish and resilient survived in the camps, and not those who necessarily had something meaningful to focus on. They were thrivers, not just survivors. I think a thriver survives simply because they are quite hearty, look forward to more living, and dare I say are not as sensitive as others? I used to think I was one those people. Depression and anxiety are such a threat because they imply rigidity and a kind of stubborn refusal to come up with a new meaningful structure...or I should say, infra-structure. It is like losing one's place in life. Exactly that. It is a horrible feeling...I would not say emptiness...but rather, just a refusal to engage, and create...meaning. Yes, sort of like being on strike.

I am going to have to go back and read this whole thread. I need read up on philosophy in the few little manuals I have.

Thank you for this most interesting thread. I am loving it. I will stand aside now and allow others to enter into the conversation...sorry I have dominated it thus far.