Lazy, Drunk, Drugs, Depression. INTP experiences from this forum

[LAM]

I think this forum attracts a specific type of INTP. What that type/ those types are I don't know and I can't bothered to find out either. I think this is because of the almost overwhelming number of people on here who share the same INTP problems. I really don't believe most young INTPs are drunkards/crackheads/depressed/ lazy underachievers in a lot of things. Also apathetic. I feel like the exception for being energetic, optimistic, etc. This doesn't mean I don't get a bit sad sometimes or that I am not socially awkward...

Note: this next sentence is merely a crap discussion point that is badly expressed; Anybody else on here who wasn't depressed, drunk, etc when they were young. And why/how were you happier than most on these forums?</p>

 

[Words]

My depression is from my anxiety disorder. Its not my choice. Its irrationality is what angers me the most even. Aside from that, We share the same traits of optimism. As a matter of fact, I'm practicing the "smile" right now.

 

[Beat Mango]

I think this forum attracts a specific type of INTP. What that type/ those types are I don't know and I can't bothered to find out either. I think this is because of the almost overwhelming number of people on here who share the same INTP problems. I really don't believe most young INTPs are drunkards/crackheads/depressed/ lazy underachievers in a lot of things. Also apathetic. I feel like the exception for being energetic, optimistic, etc. This doesn't mean I don't get a bid sad sometimes or that I am not socially awkward... Anybody else on here who wasn't depressed, drunk, etc.

Cynicism towards optimists, rising... I agree that care should be taken in reading this forum as an accurate subsection of all INTPs, but fuck me you are a complete wanker.

 

[LAM]

Cynicism towards optimists, rising... I agree that care should be taken in reading this forum as an accurate subsection of all INTPs, but fuck me you are a complete wanker.

I meant that some people might have described the harrowing experiences they had with drugs, alchohol, ruining their academic life, etc. I was stating that there was an unusually high number of people here who once had or even more sadly are suffering from these problems. Also this is (sadly) the first time somebody had asked me to fuck them. However the lack of time, want or reason to do this have forced me to refuse. I would only do it for say, more than 389 million US$. not a $ less . (Also that was my first time being insulted on this forum. considering my post count that is really good..)

 

[Beat Mango]

It's ok - I understand the exclusionary nature of optimism. But I happen to like the company of "lazy, apathetic, depressed, crackhead drunkards". You can have your "energy" and your "optimism" - I'll take SOUL anyday. Like most optimists, you're oblivious to how offensive and judgemental you are.

 

[LAM]

It's ok - I understand the exclusionary nature of optimism. But I happen to like the company of &quot;lazy, apathetic, depressed, crackhead drunkards&quot;. You can have your &quot;energy&quot; and your &quot;optimism&quot; - I'll take SOUL anyday. Like most optimists, you're oblivious to how offensive and judgemental you are.

If there was a better way of saying it, you tell me. I listed the most common problems that people on this forum had in the past or perhaps the present. And I really can't be bothered to write a sentence on each one when I am trying to make a point. I am after all an INTP and whatever personal offence you might have taken by me making a list like that was an issue I had not even considered.
Additionally you seem to have a problem with optimistic people and seem trying to make a point of how you perceive us as some kind of elitists. Continuing to slander me because you believe that for some reason I see my posts from your perspective and should quite obviously be able to see how I had done something insulting.</p>So what I will do now and what you did not have the calm or objectivity to do is to go over my posts and see how I might have offended someone in some way.
First post: I had made a somewhat rude list that might be perceived as desribing the people of these forums as depressed, drunken, crackheads, etc. My terms might be wholly fitting to me as saying drugged instead of crackhead is awkward and doesn't fit. Then i made a sentence about beintg energetic and optimistic in my youth and how that is the exception; that there are less people like me on here. Then what I seem to have said in a half-joke was whether anyone here was like that (of course there is, but for discussions'sake I posed a question at the end so people could answer it in the way they wished or they could just comment on my opinion/observation.) ------------------------
Second post: I did a bit about clearifying what I was talking about and then made a crappy attempt at lightening this situation up. But since apparently being optimistic means I have no soul, I can see it didn't work. You seem to be more offended by the fact that I have something you probably do not have; contentment/optimism/etc, which is why you so emotionally and irrationally attacked me. You were threatened by me highlighting that which you feel you lacked and so you tried to pass it off as something you do not need by lowering its value. I really do not care if you are optimistic or not, only you do, so will you please refrain from insulting me to make yourself feel slightly better? It is quite disruptive to this discussion.

 

[intuitivet]

It's ok - I understand the exclusionary nature of optimism. But I happen to like the company of "lazy, apathetic, depressed, crackhead drunkards". You can have your "energy" and your "optimism" - I'll take SOUL anyday. Like most optimists, you're oblivious to how offensive and judgemental you are.

Overreaction. Could have been phrased better, but I'm sure the opening poster didn't mean anything nasty by it. They were just asking a question.
I think that society generally sucks, there are more (or at least more publisised) people like that.
Depression isn't generally the fault of the person who has it, they don't 'choose' to be depressed. I suffer from it and yet eat healthily, exercise and try and stay positive, but with mental disorders it's difficult to be optimistic, especially in stressful parts of life. The other factors are usually linked to disorders, such as depression, and would take alot of money and mental healthcare to deal with. Not everyone is privileged enough to have the time and money to go to therapy.

 

[Cognisant]

Drugs - No
Depression - Been there, did that, learnt from it
Drinking - I do, but I only get drunk about once or twice a year
Lazy - ...yeah, got me there.

 

[shoeless]

i'm generally pretty optimistic. and i'm 16.

but don't get me wrong, i can also be depressed as shit sometimes. i've had my fair share of problems. drugs not as much, alcohol minorly, depression, well, yeah, and laziness... isn't that everyone?

but anyway, you can be optimistic and energetic and still have a darker side.

 

[kantor1003]

I think I'll copy OreSama's way of replying.

Drugs(includes alcohol) - sure. Almost alcohol exclusively though.. usually every weekend.
Depression - no. I am not exactly an optimist though.. I am probably the total opposite, but it's all good "fun".
Lazy - very. But I try to be as productive as I can.. if I've had several days lacking any form of productivity, I feel like shit - perhaps thats unfortunate.

 

[Shatokan]

Drugs - Tried cigarettes but didn't like them, nothing else
Depression - "Been there, did that, learnt from it" Though it still happens from time to time.
Drinking - I say way too many things i should keep in my head, so only every once in awhile.
Lazy -"very. But I try to be as productive as I can.. if I've had several days lacking any form of productivity, I feel like shit - perhaps thats unfortunate. "

 

[Agent Intellect]

Misery loves company, and we generally hate it when anyone tries to have a parade in our rain.

 

[Wish]

Misery loves company, and we generally hate it when anyone tries to have a parade in our rain.

I think it can be more generally said that we hate it when anyone tries to inform us that it is raining. Perhaps some of us have been under our umbrellas for too long and tend to forget about the rain.

 

[Shatokan]

I think it can be more generally said that we hate it when anyone tries to inform us that it is raining. Perhaps some of us have been under our umbrellas for too long and tend to forget about the rain.

What rain? I quite like the rain, better than a sunny day any time. lol.

Took me awhile to find the right umbrella.

 

[Ermine]

I think this forum attracts a specific type of INTP. What that type/ those types are I don't know and I can't bothered to find out either. I think this is because of the almost overwhelming number of people on here who share the same INTP problems. I really don't believe most young INTPs are drunkards/crackheads/depressed/ lazy underachievers in a lot of things. Also apathetic. I feel like the exception for being energetic, optimistic, etc. This doesn't mean I don't get a bit sad sometimes or that I am not socially awkward...

Note: this next sentence is merely a crap discussion point that is badly expressed; Anybody else on here who wasn't depressed, drunk, etc when they were young. And why/how were you happier than most on these forums?</p>

That's a huge generalization. Besides the "lazy" label, I can only think of a few people here that actually fit or used to fit that description.

And I'm at least one young INTP forum user that isn't depressed, drunk, underachieving, abusing drugs, etc. I've had periods of depression, but I don't believe it was clinical. At least I got over it after a couple months. And I don't drink or do drugs, nor do I plan to. Sure, it might be "fun" in the short term, but I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to myself and my faculties. And I'd hate to become addicted and deal with the physical/mental side effects. And I'm not the most industrious person out there, but I'm no underachiever. I don't mean to brag, but I've always had good grades, always took advanced classes, I have a job which I'm working hard at, and I am pretty ambitious and good about achieving my goals. That being said, I am careful in setting goals so I don't do more than I want to.

And I'm not exactly optimistic. I'd consider myself a realist.

 

[ashitaria]

Drugs- Smelled the smoke from cigarettes, never went near them.
Depression- Have my share of low-self esteem and doubt every once and a while. Otherwise, I try to look on the bright side.
Lazy-Extremely. Can't remember the last time I did homework.
Drinking- I hate beer.

 

[bluesquid]

Mango you ok? Not like you to be so hostile??

Im a lazy drunk. Dont do drugs.

Depression is self indulgent. Its letting yourself feel a way you feel entitled to. I would guess many of you have romanticized it.

as mango said, "I'll take SOUL anyday"

Get in there and root around, but beware its tentacles and siren song.

 

[FrostFern]

Overreaction. Could have been phrased better, but I'm sure the opening poster didn't mean anything nasty by it. They were just asking a question.
I think that society generally sucks, there are more (or at least more publisised) people like that.
Depression isn't generally the fault of the person who has it, they don't 'choose' to be depressed. I suffer from it and yet eat healthily, exercise and try and stay positive, but with mental disorders it's difficult to be optimistic, especially in stressful parts of life. The other factors are usually linked to disorders, such as depression, and would take alot of money and mental healthcare to deal with. Not everyone is privileged enough to have the time and money to go to therapy.

Thanks. I also find it offense that he lumps depression, a medical condition, in with his little list of perceived INTP sins/vices. Maybe he wasn't intentionally trying to hurt anyone but the fact of the matter is that it does. People need to wake up and be held accountable for perpetuating an unfair social stigma.

I also think "depression" is a term that's thrown around way too lightly these days. It's not just a "phase" that everyone goes through or some manifestation of teenage angst that people "grow out of". Breaking up with your highschool sweetheart and feeling sad for a couple months isn't depression. Not everyone who's popped prozac at some point to deal with a rough time in thier life has suffered from depression IMHO. That's just life. Everyone seems to think they know depression and can empathize when in fact they can't and just prove thier ignorance. True depression is an illness where your own brain attacks you and sucks the vitality out of you both mentally and physically. Living with depression is like living in a colorless world where everything appears like cardboard cutouts - people, activities, the most basic joys - all lack depth / substance / meaning. Half the time there isn't even a specific life circumstance / reason / cause for it.

 

[FrostFern]

Depression is self indulgent. Its letting yourself feel a way you feel entitled to. I would guess many of you have romanticized it.

You're wrong. You don't get it.

 

[Beat Mango]

Misery loves company, and we generally hate it when anyone tries to have a parade in our rain.

That's a myth too - every mental state loves company, not just misery (with the exception of anhedonia, perhaps). Optimists don't like their parade rained on either, that's why they take aim at pessimists. You know that song by the New Radicals, it's supposed to be all optimistic, and some of the lyrics go, "Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson, come around we'll kick your asses!" Now that's not very nice, is it? What did Courtney or Marilyn ever do to them? But this is typical of such life-affirming people - they despise and exclude that which, precisely, rains on their parade. I see that in this guy. Honestly, crackhead? Drunkard? Seriously?? Those terms are offensive by nature, but especially so when you're generalising them to fit a whole forum of people. In saying that, it's probably fair enough, I mean, you can't affirm one thing without negating another (every light casts a shadow...) But it does mean that I'm unlikely to like you very much, LAM.

 

[LAM]

Thanks. I also find it offense that he lumps depression, a medical condition, in with his little list of perceived INTP sins/vices. Maybe he wasn't intentionally trying to hurt anyone but the fact of the matter is that it does. People need to wake up and be held accountable for perpetuating an unfair social stigma.

I also think "depression" is a term that's thrown around way too lightly these days. It's not just a "phase" that everyone goes through or some manifestation of teenage angst that people "grow out of". Breaking up with your highschool sweetheart and feeling sad for a couple months isn't depression. Not everyone who's popped prozac at some point to deal with a rough time in thier life has suffered from depression IMHO. That's just life. Everyone seems to think they know depression and can empathize when in fact they can't and just prove thier ignorance. True depression is an illness where your own brain attacks you and sucks the vitality out of you both mentally and physically. Living with depression is like living in a colorless world where everything appears like cardboard cutouts - people, activities, the most basic joys - all lack depth / substance / meaning. Half the time there isn't even a specific life circumstance / reason / cause for it.

I am saying that depression, drugs, alchohol, lazyness were by far the most common problems around here and other INTP forums. And the rates are generally higher than other forums or my experiences in real life. These might all be different problems but I lumped them together because they are the most common problems INTPs had on this. Neither am I saying that optimism/being energetic is any better than anything else. I was talking about the rarity of someone, especially on these forums, talking about that. In fact I was the only one I read who said it before people started posting on this thread. From my perspective, most of the people here complained about the problems and nothing else; as in being optimistic, energetic, enthusiastic, whatever else.

 

[Trebuchet]

Drugs: Never (EDIT: okay, I am a caffeine addict)
Drinking: Rarely, never been drunk
Depression: Once, definitely for cause
Lazy: Actually, no

Depression isn't self-indulgent. I know that used to be the common wisdom, but it's actually a very real thing.

 

[LAM]

That's a myth too - every mental state loves company, not just misery (with the exception of anhedonia, perhaps). Optimists don't like their parade rained on either, that's why they take aim at pessimists. You know that song by the New Radicals, it's supposed to be all optimistic, and some of the lyrics go, "Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson, come around we'll kick your asses!" Now that's not very nice, is it? What did Courtney or Marilyn ever do to them? But this is typical of such life-affirming people - they despise and exclude that which, precisely, rains on their parade. I see that in this guy. Honestly, crackhead? Drunkard? Seriously?? Those terms are offensive by nature, but especially so when you're generalising them to fit a whole forum of people. In saying that, it's probably fair enough, I mean, you can't affirm one thing without negating another (every light casts a shadow...) But it does mean that I'm unlikely to like you very much, LAM.

I am sorry for any offense I caused but I used words which I had known to work in typed writing. I know no other way of saying "crackhead" for example and while drunkard did seem a bit harsh, the other way I could have said it was drunks. Except that term doesn't feel very definitive to me from an objective analasys. My terms were never ment to be hurtful or offensive, I merely used the terms which I had known and knew what defined my terms in the clearest way so there wouldn't be any confusion. Sadly I did not take think about people's feelings for those terms or potential offense caused by different points of views.

 

[ashitaria]

@ all you guys who have took offense:

I think that his analysis of us is rather accurate, though a little off. Not all of us drink, not all of us are druggies, but we are rather lazy (as a result of our "p" function) and we are all assailed by depression and self-doubt.

INTPs are naturally critical, of other people, of themselves, of society. It isn't surprising that we can go depressed or crazy, we see flaws in almost everything. And because of that, some of us are depressed/lazy and we drink/do drugs.

Of course, as I said, not everyone is lazy/depressed/druggies/alcoholics. But I can assure you guys that the guy's analysis doesn't really mean any offense. He is just being frank and straight-forward about what he sees in the forums.

Now, if he was obviously biased, that would be a different story.

 

[LAM]

That's a myth too - every mental state loves company, not just misery (with the exception of anhedonia, perhaps). Optimists don't like their parade rained on either, that's why they take aim at pessimists. You know that song by the New Radicals, it's supposed to be all optimistic, and some of the lyrics go, "Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson, come around we'll kick your asses!" Now that's not very nice, is it? What did Courtney or Marilyn ever do to them? But this is typical of such life-affirming people - they despise and exclude that which, precisely, rains on their parade. I see that in this guy. Honestly, crackhead? Drunkard? Seriously?? Those terms are offensive by nature, but especially so when you're generalising them to fit a whole forum of people. In saying that, it's probably fair enough, I mean, you can't affirm one thing without negating another (every light casts a shadow...) But it does mean that I'm unlikely to like you very much, LAM.

I am friends with loads of people who are pessimistic (most of the smart people are pessimistic,) and I am friends with the..... "alchohol lovers and people who like drugs"? Funnily enough those people are far friendlier than any other of the people in school and don't even attempt to peer pressure me into doing drugs/alchohol (they aren't high while in school either.) Well apart from the sports players/ jock/ surfers, who took in-game hugging and mano-a-mano contact outside of sport and made it distinctly gay to any person looking at it from an outside perspective, like me.

Back to the point, the only time I really get pissed off at any of those people is when the pessimists completely ruin any effort I make in group project especially. Just cause someones lazy/sad/depressed/apathetic most the time doesn't mean they have to ruin everybody elses's scores in a group project... That is basically the only timne I get frustrated, most the time I either don't care or I joke and stuff to get the mood up. That usually works too . Except when they have work to do. Its nearly impossible then.

 

[Pythia]

Lazy: definitely.
Drugs: only alcohol and ciggies, so far. Hope it stays that way.
Depression: maybe. Back in the day I wouldn't notice, but looking back I now see my behavior wasn't normal.

Depression isn't self-indulgent. I know that used to be the common wisdom, but it's actually a very real thing.

Agreed.

 

[FrostFern]

I am saying that depression, drugs, alchohol, lazyness were by far the most common problems around here and other INTP forums. And the rates are generally higher than other forums or my experiences in real life. These might all be different problems but I lumped them together because they are the most common problems INTPs had on this. Neither am I saying that optimism/being energetic is any better than anything else. I was talking about the rarity of someone, especially on these forums, talking about that. In fact I was the only one I read who said it before people started posting on this thread. From my perspective, most of the people here complained about the problems and nothing else; as in being optimistic, energetic, enthusiastic, whatever else.

The words "drunkard" and "crackhead" are highly pejorative/judgmental in any context. The pejorative tone carried over to the entire list you made whether that was your intent or not. You can say people are lazy or depressed and I don't really take offense, but when you combine it with "drunkard" and "crackhead" I'll assume you're taking a collective potshot at anyone for which any of the terms in your list applies.

On a different note I think that you're perception of the people on INTP forums being overly negative/pessimistic is off. I think it's probably true that INTP's don't express thier enthusiasm as overtly as other personality types but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are pessimists. INTP's like to think/analyze and discuss. That's when we're in our natural element and most happy. We're not effervescent chatterboxes, revelers, or pep-talkers. When there are problems we talk about them. When life is good we saver our feelings quietly by ourselves or with family / close-friends. A lot of INTP's are probably happy, they just don't enjoy talking about how happy they are so you don't hear it. All you hear is the negative.

 

[Darby]

I had a LOT of emotional problems up until just last year or so(I'm a senior in high school), but I never drank or did drugs(at least as far as self medicating goes). I think I did a whole bunch of that soul searching crap to find out it didn't mean shit till after I hit puberty, because it just got all f*cked up again.

I currently would say I'm a pretty happy person, I enjoy the company of others, but am not one for a lot of interaction unless I know them fairly well.

I smoked weed once during this last summer(I wanted to know what it was like), my friends and I all agree that I probably had an allergic reaction....never again. Drinking is a problem for every person in my family, so it is not something I really would like to get into, but I have once or twice, never enough to be drunk though.

That being said, I often feel like a bit of an outcast as far as the forum goes, so maybe what you say is right, most of the INTPs on here are drunks and crackheads(I'm making this statement without reading the other posts, so don't hate me, I'm just commenting on what the OP said)

 

[LAM]

I had a LOT of emotional problems up until just last year or so(I'm a senior in high school), but I never drank or did drugs(at least as far as self medicating goes). I think I did a whole bunch of that soul searching crap to find out it didn't mean shit till after I hit puberty, because it just got all f*cked up again.

I currently would say I'm a pretty happy person, I enjoy the company of others, but am not one for a lot of interaction unless I know them fairly well.

I smoked weed once during this last summer(I wanted to know what it was like), my friends and I all agree that I probably had an allergic reaction....never again. Drinking is a problem for every person in my family, so it is not something I really would like to get into, but I have once or twice, never enough to be drunk though.

That being said, I often feel like a bit of an outcast as far as the forum goes, so maybe what you say is right, most of the INTPs on here are drunks and crackheads(I'm making this statement without reading the other posts, so don't hate me, I'm just commenting on what the OP said)

Yeah that was my observation too. I did offend heaps of people though. Actually reading through the thread, especially this part helped me see that maybe there are a lot more optimists than the general impression gives me;

"I think it's probably true that INTP's don't express thier enthusiasm as overtly as other personality types but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are pessimists. INTP's like to think/analyze and discuss. That's when we're in our natural element and most happy. We're not effervescent chatterboxes, revelers, or pep-talkers. When there are problems we talk about them. When life is good we saver our feelings quietly by ourselves or with family / close-friends. A lot of INTP's are probably happy, they just don't enjoy talking about how happy they are so you don't hear it. All you hear is the negative."

 

[Latro]

I like this format:

Drugs/Alcohol--no.
Depression--it's complicated. I think I'm closer to not depressed than to depressed, but my lack of a social life and issues with correcting it get me down sometimes.
Laziness--Also complicated. I'm in undergrad with a 4.0, and I feel like I'm lazy because I can't seem to get a research idea. Also my courses have felt like they're too easy, though they don't now; at the very least organic chemistry II feels difficult.

I'll also add that depression is definitely not, in general, self-indulgent.

I am sorry for any offense I caused

I sincerely doubt that. People very rarely are actually sorry, especially among those that feel they have the authority to judge others.

 

[LAM]

I like this format:

Drugs/Alcohol--no.
Depression--it's complicated. I think I'm closer to not depressed than to depressed, but my lack of a social life and issues with correcting it get me down sometimes.
Laziness--Also complicated. I'm in undergrad with a 4.0, and I feel like I'm lazy because I can't seem to get a research idea. Also my courses have felt like they're too easy, though they don't now; at the very least organic chemistry II feels difficult.

I'll also add that depression is definitely not, in general, self-indulgent.

I sincerely doubt that. People very rarely are actually sorry, especially among those that feel they have the authority to judge others.

Here we go again I was not judging people, I was making an observation that overall, out of all the posts, a large number of the threads and posts talked about lazyness, experiences with drugs, bad long-term alcohol experiences, apathy, and depression, compared with the ratio of posts talking about things going well for the person in any way (these were almost non-existent.)

So then I had asked that the hidden optimists and people who thought they were happy with their lives would show up and perhaps a discussion could be raised about whether I was right and why I could be wrong or right.

I am sorry about my terms to describe this were offensive but I will never be sorry about my observation. And I am not sorry I made this thread because I had finally gotten a good answer from Frostfern. And i found a couple of people who agreed with my observation instead of obsessing over my terms and taking them personally. I was NOT judging people.

Also the thing with the type of intp sentence in the first post; that meant that I believed that other types of INTPs generally don't go to this forum and we have a very big amount of INTPs with problems like these which is perhaps telling. Maybe the people here are more philosophical and introspective than other INTPs but at the same time there were some drawbacks to that?

 

[Firehazard159]

Drugs - No
Depression - Been there, did that, learnt from it
Drinking - I do, but I only get drunk about once or twice a year
Lazy - ...yeah, got me there.

quoted for truth. (For myself ^_^)

I rarely get drunk, not enough to even say 1-2 times per year, however, it does happen sporadically at times.

 

[Latro]

Here we go again I was not judging people, I was making an observation that overall, out of all the posts, a large number of the threads and posts talked about lazyness, experiences with drugs, bad long-term alcohol experiences, apathy, and depression, compared with the ratio of posts talking about things going well for the person in any way (these were almost non-existent.)

So then I had asked that the hidden optimists and people who thought they were happy with their lives would show up and perhaps a discussion could be raised about whether I was right and why I could be wrong or right.

I am sorry about my terms to describe this were offensive but I will never be sorry about my observation. And I am not sorry I made this thread because I had finally gotten a good answer from Frostfern. And i found a couple of people who agreed with my observation instead of obsessing over my terms and taking them personally. I was NOT judging people.

Also the thing with the type of intp sentence in the first post; that meant that I believed that other types of INTPs generally don't go to this forum and we have a very big amount of INTPs with problems like these which is perhaps telling. Maybe the people here are more philosophical and introspective than other INTPs but at the same time there were some drawbacks to that?

As much as you don't like to admit that you're judging people, you are. If by some convoluted twist you're not, you're really bad at phrasing. A hint: unless you actually know of an example of crack use (I've seen an example of cocaine use, but that's quite different from crack use) using the term crackhead is not a good idea. In fact even if you do, it's not a good idea.

 

[LAM]

As much as you don't like to admit that you're judging people, you are. If by some convoluted twist you're not, you're really bad at phrasing. A hint: unless you actually know of an example of crack use (I've seen an example of cocaine use, but that's quite different from crack use) using the term crackhead is not a good idea. In fact even if you do, it's not a good idea.

I don't know any better term. And drug addict seemed too offensive in my opinion. When I use crackhead its just a word to say for people who do drugs, not necesserily addicted. Actually thinking back, you are probably right about that term . In any case the term isn't really offensive in my HS. I guess its different elsewhere.

 

[_whispers_]

Living with depression is like living in a colorless world where everything appears like cardboard cutouts - people, activities, the most basic joys - all lack depth / substance / meaning.

That`s what apathy does for me.

I've never been really depressed. But my happy/bouncy/energetic moods can be just as severe as my bad moods.

I`ve never abused drugs and alcohol. As someone said I`m a control freak when it comes to me. Anything that messes with my brain - I don`t like it. My laziness mainly derives from my apathy. That`s my main problem. I need to motivation.

Can someone tell me what`s the polite word to use for "drunkard"? I don`t think I know another one. Except alcoholic... that`s not a good one either.

 

[FrostFern]

I don't know any better term. And drug addict seemed too offensive in my opinion. When I use crackhead its just a word to say for people who do drugs, not necesserily addicted. Actually thinking back, you are probably right about that term . In any case the term isn't really offensive in my HS. I guess its different elsewhere.

It's not really about any single word. It's just when you lump the words crackhead/drunkard/lazy/underachiever together it interprets like a synonym for low-life/screw-up. Then when you add depression into it it looks like you're equating depression (and anyone with a pessimistic outlook for that matter) with being a low-life/screw-up.

Anyways, I apologize for beating a dead horse once more. I'm just trying to explain why (I think) people took offense.

 

[LAM]

It's not really about any single word. It's just when you lump the words crackhead/drunkard/lazy/underachiever together it interprets like a synonym for low-life/screw-up. Then when you add depression into it it looks like you're equating depression (and anyone with a pessimistic outlook for that matter) with being a low-life/screw-up.

Anyways, I apologize for beating a dead horse once more. I'm just trying to explain why (I think) people took offense.

I was listing the most common problems in comma form.... I should just use bullet points next time

 

[Claverhouse]

Can someone tell me what`s the polite word to use for "drunkard"? I don`t think I know another one. Except alcoholic... that`s not a good one either.

Souse, Boozer, Rummy, Yeltsin.




Claverhouse

 

[FrostFern]

That`s what apathy does for me.

I've never been really depressed. But my happy/bouncy/energetic moods can be just as severe as my bad moods.

I`ve never abused drugs and alcohol. As someone said I`m a control freak when it comes to me. Anything that messes with my brain - I don`t like it. My laziness mainly derives from my apathy. That`s my main problem. I need to motivation.

Can someone tell me what`s the polite word to use for "drunkard"? I don`t think I know another one. Except alcoholic... that`s not a good one either.

Apathy and depression, those two are pretty much synonymous with me. I get melancholy moods occasionally as well but the apathy is ten times worse than sadness. It's not a nice mellow lackadiasical la-la-la-whatever-I-just-want-to-sleep kind of apathy. It's the soul-sucking kind where I'm hurting to do something, - hurting badly, just to fill the void - but then whanever I think about doing something I feel no interest or pleasure from it.

 

[_whispers_]

Souse, Boozer, Rummy, Yeltsin.




Claverhouse

I like boozer! Thanx, I`ll remember that one ^.^

@ FrostFern: First you get apathy and then you get depressed, because of it? Or am I reading that wrong?

 

[EditorOne]

"I listed the most common problems that people on this forum had in the past or perhaps the present."

Maybe they aren't problems. Maybe they're merely experiences. Problem implies a judgment about the experience. Perhaps anyone who has had some of these experiences and come out the other side is in a value-added condition?

Besides, you're going on your impression that the number of people in this forum who have had these experiences is higher proportionally than other places you've been. Like, where?

And anyone capable of rational thought is aware optimism in regard to humanity should be carefully rationed and deployed just as carefully. It comes from knowing there is usually a solution to any problem, and sometimes from knowing what the solution is, but also knowing that only sometimes is it possible to get everyone to agree it is the solution and go there. Pick your fights, in other words, and don't waste knuckle skin on ones you will surely lose. Some heads are made of solid bone. I'm not sure that's pessimism so much as it is objectivity.

 

[Trebuchet]

Organic chemistry is difficult. I don't think it can be considered a sign of laziness or any other flaw if a person finds o-chem difficult. And however easy it may have seemed, maintaining a 4.0 isn't a sign of laziness either.

Unasked for advice: go find a professor you would like to work with and see if you can join his or her research project, rather than coming up with one of your own. It doesn't lead to fun research, but it leads to graduation, anyway. Good luck.

 

[intuitivet]

I think people are just overreacting to this topic. Take some time and realise that LAM is just asking a question. If you find the question offensive then don't feel you have to give an answer, if no one answered LAM's thread would be lost in the forum and never really looked at again.
LAM needs to phrase things better and other members in this thread need to calm down (not everyone obviously, just those getting tense over this).

 

[Cavallier]

I read these threads and I find myself wanting to wander around the room periodically giving high fives, booing, hugging, discussing merits, discussing fallacies, and generally responding to various people.

I think this forum attracts a specific type of INTP.

I disagree. I love hanging around here and I don't really get depressed. I'm not a druggie and I'm not an alcoholic (though that would be my poison of choice). Then again I've spent a fair chunk of my life around depressed people and I've decided that some people are simply built that way. That, or their lives have been shaped that way. I accept them for what they are. Like Banana, I enjoy hanging out with the bitter, depressed, and disillusioned. They have a different perspective that I won't get from Sweet Suzy.

I understand the exclusionary nature of optimism.

Hmmm...I agree only in that depression is exclusionary as well. I think that they both have their issues.

Misery loves company, and we generally hate it when anyone tries to have a parade in our rain.

This made the dork side of me chuckle. I'd high five AI but that's against the no touching rule so...

Depression is self indulgent. Its letting yourself feel a way you feel entitled to. I would guess many of you have romanticized it.

Sure, there is that percentage of the population (mostly teens) who romanticize depression. I think of it as an exploration on their part. They are sating their curious natures. They are trying out a philosophy by applying it to their lives and who am I to get in their way? That being said, it's an arrogant mistake to think that depression is always self-indulgent. Besides, when I was a teen I was surrounded by teens...that was reason enough to be depressed. Horrible little bastards.

Get in there and root around, but beware its tentacles and siren song.

Wait. Who let the Hentai in?

Can someone tell me what`s the polite word to use for "drunkard"? I don`t think I know another one. Except alcoholic... that`s not a good one either.

OOH! OOH! My favorite is the word "lush".

Depression: Sure. I've been depressed. I don't do the moping around depression though. I generally just get angry at the world for seeming to stand in my way. Then I go a little manic. The world will burn before I let it stop me. Some people get sad, I get angry.

Drugs: Not really.

Alcohol: Sure. I enjoy a drink or three but I don't get drunk often.

Laziness: No. Lots of people mistake distraction for laziness. Any hesitation on my part was done out of being unsure as to what action to take. That, or I had other things I'd rather focus on. I don't do things because I'd rather be doing other things. I think that's what it means to be an INTP.

I think people are just overreacting to this topic.

There has been a lot of that going around lately...January blues? Perhaps a drink?

 

[FrostFern]

@ FrostFern: First you get apathy and then you get depressed, because of it? Or am I reading that wrong?

No. I'm saying they're pretty much the same thing. Apathy is the #1 symptom of depression for me. Anhedonia is probably a better word than apathy though. No matter what you call it it sucks.

 

[LAM]

&quot;I listed the most common problems that people on this forum had in the past or perhaps the present.&quot;

Maybe they aren't problems. Maybe they're merely experiences. Problem implies a judgment about the experience. Perhaps anyone who has had some of these experiences and come out the other side is in a value-added condition?

Besides, you're going on your impression that the number of people in this forum who have had these experiences is higher proportionally than other places you've been. Like, where?

And anyone capable of rational thought is aware optimism in regard to humanity should be carefully rationed and deployed just as carefully. It comes from knowing there is usually a solution to any problem, and sometimes from knowing what the solution is, but also knowing that only sometimes is it possible to get everyone to agree it is the solution and go there. Pick your fights, in other words, and don't waste knuckle skin on ones you will surely lose. Some heads are made of solid bone. I'm not sure that's pessimism so much as it is objectivity.

I called it experiences in the title >_< . I don't know what happened afterwards...

 

[intuitivet]

There has been a lot of that going around lately...January blues? Perhaps a drink?

I think so! Maybe some tranquillizers in the spirit of this thread?

 

[_whispers_]

No. I'm saying they're pretty much the same thing. Apathy is the #1 symptom of depression for me. Anhedonia is probably a better word than apathy though. No matter what you call it it sucks.

It's just you made me think about something. I think it would be interesting if apathy leads to depression. The way I see it apathy is like a wall that disconnects a person from the world. It prevents them from feeling excitement, care, and all the rest. I would think that being disconnected will lead sooner or later to depression. Because one way or another we are still human and need the contact. If for nothing else at least to get ideas to feed our obsessions. I don`t know about the rest but I need someone/something to bounce off ideas when I`m not enough. And when an obsession is over I would need the inspiration to start a new one from somewhere.

Not saying it`s the same with everyone just my train of thoughts.

@ intuitivet: I love your icon, can you tell me who is the guy?

 

[Anthile]

A depression is a mental disorder and not something you can find on the street and can put on and off like a hat.

 

[Beat Mango]

"I listed the most common problems that people on this forum had in the past or perhaps the present."

Maybe they aren't problems. Maybe they're merely experiences. Problem implies a judgment about the experience. Perhaps anyone who has had some of these experiences and come out the other side is in a value-added condition?

Besides, you're going on your impression that the number of people in this forum who have had these experiences is higher proportionally than other places you've been. Like, where?

And anyone capable of rational thought is aware optimism in regard to humanity should be carefully rationed and deployed just as carefully. It comes from knowing there is usually a solution to any problem, and sometimes from knowing what the solution is, but also knowing that only sometimes is it possible to get everyone to agree it is the solution and go there. Pick your fights, in other words, and don't waste knuckle skin on ones you will surely lose. Some heads are made of solid bone. I'm not sure that's pessimism so much as it is objectivity.

I think that's actually what I meant to say, just you said it, more eloquently and with more tact.