You have a choice : Make someone suffering deep clinical depression smile and forget their troubles for a day; or beat up the neighborhood bully. What do you do?

I choose the first. The neighborhood bully might be suffering from a deep-seated problem behind closed doors, and beating him up just makes matter worse. The world needs more peace, not violence. And besides, just a little bit of happiness in the life of a severely depressed person is already a blessing for them. It shows them that at least there is some hope at the end of the tunnel.

That said, both options are just treatments for symptoms, not the root of the problem.

Meh…tuff choice. I admit I’m a comedy.legend (in my own mind), but I’m also to over protective of my female friends and I hate guys that abuse women. So I might enjoy using a POS like that as a punching bag. Depends on the situation I suppose.

Depends on who they are, and whether I get to get away with beating up the neighborhood bully or not.

Or, to make it easy, I don’t know that there is a neighborhood bully, so (and probably for other reasons too) let’s make the depressed person smile.

@Nomore I’m glad I know you :)

At your service Mimi : )

Exactly what @Mimishu1995 said, which is an excellent answer.

Why not do both? Or maybe let the clinically depressed person beat up the bully, which might make him/her feel better as a consequence. That’s a win/win situation.

If I really had to make a choice, I would help the depressed person. Bullies don’t change, they revert.

This could possibly be one and the same person. The first choice could lead to a recovery, but the second choice will never solve anything. I take #1.

Depressed people seem to reject any happiness that comes their way.

@Dutchess_III – Then I’m guessing you plan on beating the crap out of the sad guy?

Just make sure you call it therapy when you do ;)

More like ignore them @JLoon

I’d rather beat up the sad person’s depression!

I’d cheer up the depressed bully. ;-p

@Incoherency – FAIL !!!!

@Brian1946 @Incoherency_ and I’m sitting here waiting to see the winner :D

@Mimishu1995 – First Prize is good karma!

@Mimishu1995

Thanks, that really cheers us up!

Are you still planning to swim the length of the Mekong? ;-o

@Mimishu1995

Thanks, that really cheers us up!

Are you tired of reading @Brian1946‘s ridiculous rumors?

@Incoherency_ @Brian1946 Thanks :) And no, I’m not tired of the rumors, because they aren’t rumors at all. I’ll be swimming the Mekong to congratulate the winner!

Why are people so unsympathetic when their friends or loved ones suffer from depression? A person with cancer is likely to get a lot more support than a person suffering from depression. The sad fact is that there is an appalling ignorance about this mental illness. It causes enormous suffering and is a contributory factor in death by suicide. The alarming fact is that less than 50% of patients will seek treatment, mainly because of ignorance and apathy.

Here’s a great article on what not to say to someone who’s depressed if you’re trying to be sympathetic. Unfortunately, there are some who aren’t sympathetic to those with this life-altering illness who make hurtful, insensitive statements. Maybe a little education can turn that around.

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/20-sentences-people-with-depression-hate-hearing-the-most.html

There is no way of explaining what depression is like to someone who has not had it. I know. I have tried. Sometimes even my therapist just doesn’t seem to get it.

@LostInParadise I know. I have bipolar II disorder and PTSD and there are so many myths surrounding mental health. It’s disheartening, especially when someone who appears halfway intelligent believes the explanations for why people have depression. For the vast majority, it’s simply a matter of brain chemistry, like diabetes is a matter of body functioning; genetics plays a part, also. It’s NOT a choice for either of us. We don’t choose to be depressed or have diabetes.