I'm still reading about it and some do doubt it. There was one bunch of analyses that only found a slight correlation in accuracy and depression - like, really slight. Others point out that the "accuracy" generally doesn't extend to more real-world things. Others try to show how positive bias actually is more helpful...otherwise there seems to be a bunch of clinical and anecdotal evidence that depressive, pessimistic people have a more realistic outlook on reality.

I fit the bill for people likely to experience the DR effect: mild-to-moderately depressed. But like I said, I can't relate to it well, aside from having few positive illusions about myself. Honestly, those stats that most people view themselves as better than average in certain ways seem...sketchy? I guess I have a hard time believing that the average person is so clueless or deluded as to think they're above average when they're clearly not. Surely self-reflection isn't that hard?

Ugh, sorry. If this is reality I can't deal with it. I hate myself for saying that, but it's true. I'm in pain dammit, and finding out I'm supposed to be in pain and that not being in pain is a sign of shallowness makes it worse. The thing is, I'm not a deep thinker or anything by nature. Any analytical abilities I might have now are artificial, acquired in an attempt to fit in with more intellectual types. Yet I've been depressed for years, mostly over my own self-image. And I'm utterly lost and this doesn't help. Actually, this concept is kind of a nightmare - even though I'm on the "better" side of it!

Here's an article about it; perhaps take a look at the comments too. Even eating disorders signal accurate body assessments! Reality is, by definition, hopeless and out of our control and any happiness or hope is delusion. The only thing I wonder about is...feelings. "If I try, even if I fail, I will have done something for myself and learned something, and I will feel better." This is delusional and wrong. And what about self-acceptance? If you consider the idea that there is, objectively, universally, no right or wrong way to be, then it would seem perfectly valid. But it isn't valid in a more confined, human context. I don't know what to do.

Unfortunately when something hits me hard in the feels, I can't stop writing.