Has depression made you a better person??

Hello everyone, I was just wondering has depression made you a better person. Do you learn anything positive from it? When you have been through a very tough time theres a saying that: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. One thing about having depression is that I am more aware of people mental health problems, the smiles behind the pain etc... I hate to say this but I think it has made me self absorbed and I don't want to be like that. I suppose I had to be for so long having very bad thoughts but maybe everyting is about me now. Am I turning into a narcisstic? Of course I love my kids and take real good care of them but I am still very wrapped up in ME! Any thoughts?

I know this may be more about semanitics...but the sorrow type of depression has affectively (not sure - effectively) helped me to realize when things, even minor things, are going well. I appreciate simple things.

It helps me be more empathetic to someone who is struggling. But sometimes our brains get stuck in depression and robs us of so much. Knowing depression has helped me obtain a career in which I can help others who are suffering. Helping them is helping me.

No, I don't think depression has made me a better person, it has ruined too much of my life. Robbed me of many years that should have been my good years. Now I feel old, cheated and still depressed.

I don't think I am a better person for my depression, I would say worse. But then I'm in the midst of it and it is hard to see anything good in anything let alone depression. Maybe if I was feeling better I'd see things differently but for now I'd say no.

I don't think depression has made me a better person, per se. What it has done is shown me that I have incredible strength and courage to keep putting one foot in front of the other despite being what is occasionally depression with suicidal ideation. I would give anything to be not depressed right now, and I don't think people without depression realize how so much easier life without depression can be.

Yesterday and today I have been very down. I do not like having depression...but I am doing everything I know how to improve things..
at least I do not suffer as my mother did - that's as positive as it gets sometimes.

Maybe depression has made me a better person in that I can empathize with others who are having a hard time. But depression robs me of my joy, strength, energy, self-confidence and I would give just about anything to find a way out of it.

Depression gives me an "excuse" for being lazy, that's how I view things right now. Other people say to me that I'm easy-going and see that as a positive. Probably, with or without my depression I'm not a very ambitious or driven person. One thing depression has taught me is the importance of being nice to other people. I might not be able to help them, they may not be able to help me, but if I'm kind then at least neither of us is worse off. I don't see this as depression making me a better person, just more humane.

I put more value on my choices. I know that I can't tolerate the life of shallow career. I have to work harder to feel like I am doing something worthwhile. I'm more introspective. I cannot fake my way out of depression therefore I learn to be honest with myself. I've learned not to spend time on friendships that are not authentic. To have authentic friendships you need to be authentic and be willing to expose yourself. Artists often go through the same experience to be a good artist. I am an artist. This has got to be a positive, no?

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Nope, I'm much worse with it. Yes, I have an understanding of pain and I can empathize with others. Yes, I am less judgmental. But on the other hand, I see what you mean about focusing on our own problems. I spend all day pouring over every little thing I've ever done and it's exhausting. However, I wouldn't call it narcissistic. It's hard NOT to be this way when things are so bad. Also, narcissists have very specific behavioral patterns that are pretty easy to detect.

No. I was much better before this in every way.

Depression is not good but a melancholy, non-alpha-male vibe can be soulful and sensitive, which is not all bad. But I have been psychotically depressed and there is no upside.

I'm pretty sure nobody wants depression - ever - or cancer..or so on. Science is doing a better job helping us get better. You should have seen what they did to my mother in her day.

It leaves me, more empathetic.

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