‘I have no knowledge of myself as I am, but merely as I appear to myself.’ –Kant
[P]eople who are depressed display some surprising advantages in their thinking skills. Depressed people:
1. process information more deeply.
2. are more accurate at complex tasks.
3. make better judgements on detail-oriented information.
4. make more accurate cost-benefit analyses.The researchers developed a new questionnaire which measures ‘analytical rumination’, a mental process which is thought to be an ancient defence mechanism and the root of depression.
Analytical rumination is where people turn problems over in their heads to the exclusion of all else, trying to look for a solution.
They first examine the problem’s cause, then the things that need solving, any possible solutions plus the costs and benefits of each solution.
The symptoms of depression, which often include lethargy, difficulty sleeping, poor concentration and disinterest in other people or the external world, may actually be ways of saving energy while a person is focusing on the problem.
