[regretful]

Is apathy the natural follow on of long-term, low-grade depression? I am not thinking about self-harm, I'm not suffering too badly relative to some, I'm not at risk of being hospitalized - I'm just at the point, after months of depression, of not caring one iota about anything...so, the question remains, in my mind: is apathy the logical conclusion of this depression? Thoughts, thanks, hugs are all appreciated. Thanks in advance...

[ToeJam]

I know I miss apathy, not sure how helpful that is... Apathy gave the illusion that I was ok, strong, unphased... But it was in actuality all because I just didn't care about anything 'bills haven't been paid' don't care 'bikes been stolen' don't care etc etc... I had neither the will or energy to think about stuff that would normally propel me into action.

I personally think it's just a part of the cycle.. Apathy is what happens when you've been so worn down by anxiety, anger, depression in general that your brain has enough and shuts down all those emotions that were driving you up the wall.

[regretful]

Fiddlesticks...if it is part of the cycle, and you make a compelling point that it is, then those emotions about which I no longer care will eventually work their way back to the forefront...

[ToeJam]

Damn it, didn't mean to have drawn that conclusion... Is very much my experience of how it works, but we do all have differences in how this affects us.

Just let it flow and see what happens, hopefully things will smooth out for you

[regretful]

Worry not, ToeJam...it was me that drew the conclusion. I've let it flow, and apathy is followed often by a depressive episode. I guess I just needed it to be pointed out to me again...I do hope for a smoothing out period because this existence as I have it now is for the birds...

Various research studies have shown that people who are depressed have a more realistic view of life than do people who are not. So the reality is, from my perspective as a person with major depression, that ultimately nothing matters. Humans are just another variety of animal that happened to evolve on earth & when we're dead... we're dead. That's all. So does depression breed apathy. Yes, because apathy is a natural response to meaninglessness. Depressed people see this because they have a more realistic view of life than do non-depressed people. So the challenge is to find "a place to stand", so to speak, while tumbling through mid air.

[regretful]

Originally Posted by regretful

Worry not, ToeJam...it was me that drew the conclusion. I've let it flow, and apathy is followed often by a depressive episode. I guess I just needed it to be pointed out to me again...I do hope for a smoothing out period because this existence as I have it now is for the birds...

Actually, not even birds deserve this mundane of an existence...