Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

tefaroko · 10-04-2007, 10:03 PM

I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I have a recommendation for any intellectuals that might be perusing this forum and also struggling with depression. The book is called "Lincoln's Melancholy" and it covers the struggles Abraham Lincoln had with his own emotional mastery, and how once he harnessed his depression he achieved great things. Not in spite of, but because of, his condition.

The thought is that perhaps depression isn't a condition, but just a natural state for some. We spend so much time looking on the dark side of depression, and being bombarded with the notion that it is not the "natural state", and that we should be medicated or seek therapy.

Its interesting and refreshing to see someone look at it from a different angle, and see the pro's.

So anyway, if this is the wrong place to post this, not many of you will see it. Haha.

Jim11 · 10-05-2007, 01:39 AM

I've read Lincoln's melancholy and I found it very interesting as well.

Whether or not it's in the right place, good post.

The David · 10-05-2007, 03:28 AM

Are we talking about depression, or melancholy? I haven't read the book.

Zukin · 10-05-2007, 08:47 PM

I read that Abraham Lincoln was suicidal after his fiancee left him. His friends stayed with him for several days and removed all dangerous objects from his house so he couldn't kill himself.

So if you help someone today, you may change the face of history.

tefaroko · 10-06-2007, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zukin

I read that Abraham Lincoln was suicidal after his fiancee left him. His friends stayed with him for several days and removed all dangerous objects from his house so he couldn't kill himself.

So if you help someone today, you may change the face of history.

Tis not exactly how it went down, but true nonetheless. You should read the book, it gives a clearer image of what actually put him in to that spell. You'll be surprised.

The David: For all intents and purposes, melancholy in Lincoln's time is depression in ours.

robertanthony · 10-09-2007, 11:06 AM

Both my mother and father suffered from serious depression. Both of them spent time in hospitals. Both heavily medicated at times. My mum even had electro convulsive therapy - sparks plugs attached to her head.

The odds were high that I would be the same so I ended up studying therapy from a very early age. I went on to train as a therapist only to find that most therapists get things wrong. They focus on what is wrong with you rather than what is right with you. This is changing in the U.K. with the main therapy bodies training in coaching & positive psychology to improve mental health.

Finding out what your signiture strenghts are creates a more positive identity and can help with making decisions as to what career fits your personality and what sort of people you might want to spend time with.

Info at The Positive Psychology Centre.

Mark Lapierre · 10-15-2007, 07:00 AM

I'm curious... Why is this a recommendation for intellectuals?

10-04-2007, 10:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
tefaroko Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 26	Book recommendation for intellectuals I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I have a recommendation for any intellectuals that might be perusing this forum and also struggling with depression. The book is called "Lincoln's Melancholy" and it covers the struggles Abraham Lincoln had with his own emotional mastery, and how once he harnessed his depression he achieved great things. Not in spite of, but because of, his condition. The thought is that perhaps depression isn't a condition, but just a natural state for some. We spend so much time looking on the dark side of depression, and being bombarded with the notion that it is not the "natural state", and that we should be medicated or seek therapy. Its interesting and refreshing to see someone look at it from a different angle, and see the pro's. So anyway, if this is the wrong place to post this, not many of you will see it. Haha.

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10-05-2007, 01:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jim11 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 213	I've read Lincoln's melancholy and I found it very interesting as well. Whether or not it's in the right place, good post.

10-05-2007, 03:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
The David Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 1,155	Are we talking about depression, or melancholy? I haven't read the book.

10-05-2007, 08:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Zukin Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 728	I read that Abraham Lincoln was suicidal after his fiancee left him. His friends stayed with him for several days and removed all dangerous objects from his house so he couldn't kill himself. So if you help someone today, you may change the face of history.

10-09-2007, 11:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
robertanthony Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brighton England Posts: 262	Both my mother and father suffered from serious depression. Both of them spent time in hospitals. Both heavily medicated at times. My mum even had electro convulsive therapy - sparks plugs attached to her head. The odds were high that I would be the same so I ended up studying therapy from a very early age. I went on to train as a therapist only to find that most therapists get things wrong. They focus on what is wrong with you rather than what is right with you. This is changing in the U.K. with the main therapy bodies training in coaching & positive psychology to improve mental health. Finding out what your signiture strenghts are creates a more positive identity and can help with making decisions as to what career fits your personality and what sort of people you might want to spend time with. Info at The Positive Psychology Centre.

10-15-2007, 07:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mark Lapierre Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,061	I'm curious... Why is this a recommendation for intellectuals?

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums