[vmasto]

Isn't this true for pretty much anyone that hasn't actually experienced it?

It's not like you can describe it exactly, I've seen a lot of "the most accurate description of depression"s that really hit home, but there's no way to make someone understand what it's actually like.

[goodroot]

An interesting parable... I am well acquainted with many people who work with plant medicines like Ayahuasca in the indigenous Amazon.

In one such instance, a fellow was under the tutelage of two renowned Maestros (master shamans). He, after learning how to converse with them, asked them how they cure ailments like depression and anxiety.

The Maestro's had no idea what depression and anxiety were. They were only accustomed to healing physical ailments; they had to work with the Westerners to develop a modality in which they could spiritually heal anxiety and depression.

I reflect on this story often, as it is a reminder that to those whose only concern is their next meal or the snakes in the grass, they need not fret the ghosts of the future or the past.

[rublev]

>I reflect on this story often, as it is a reminder that to those whose only concern is their next meal or the snakes in the grass, they need not fret the ghosts of the future or the past.

I remember when I quit my job way back. Stayed alone in my apartment for 6 months without seeing anyone and was drowning in debt learning a whole host of tech that was way out of my depth at the time (in order to find a better job, which I did). My now GF asks me how I 'got through it' and I have a tough time explaining that when reality hits you don't really have time to be depressed or feel anything. Just 'do'. Like some survival switch turns on.

It's a good story. My parents immigrated from a communist country after many years and they don't understand 'mental illness' or anything related. Every question is just met with 'there was no time for it'.