I talk a lot about depression on this blog and for good reason. Some people have struggled with depression and mental health issues for years, while others may be suffering but it’s not on their radar. I think the more we talk about it and what it can actually look like, the more we can help ourselves and those we love. For the sake of this post, we’ll explore and answer the question “Does depression make you pessimistic?” Like most topics that fall under the mental health umbrella, the answer isn’t always black and white.

If you’re feeling confused about whether or not you or someone you love is depressed, make sure to check out my other post “How to Get the Right Diagnosis – When it’s More Than Depression” before reading any further. Keep in mind that just because you’re depressed doesn’t mean you’re a total pessimist or vice versa. Pessimism can stem from how we were raised and our environment. But when depression is involved, there are patterns that often show up without us even knowing it.

Does Depression Make You Pessimistic?

How You Were Raised

We’re all raised in different environments. These environments shape us into who we are today and they’re important to acknowledge when figuring out if depression is making you pessimistic. The way you look at the world is just one of those ways in which our environment is reflected. If your parents were always on the lookout for the next crappy thing that would come, or expected it on a regular basis, then you may be the same way. It’s not your fault, or even theirs, it’s just how your caregivers likely protected themselves and your family. Meaning, if they always expected the worst, they felt prepared to deal with it when it came.

You also may have just had a really difficult upbringing. While we all have struggles and difficulties growing up, some have it much worse than others. Many people grow up homeless, or bounce from home to home, are victims of abuse and the list goes on. Over time, this can no doubt mold us into pessimists. (rightfully so!) We can become bitter and have low faith in humanity. Again, this isn’t your fault. It simply means your judgment may still be clouded even when you’re no longer stuck in that awful environment.

A Gradual Change in Mindset

I fall between being a realist and a pessimist most days. But over time, I definitely noticed that sometimes my pessimism was becoming worse and actually a clue to my depression. As I’ve mentioned before, depression isn’t simply feeling sad. It’s a dark, heavily sad mindset that ultimately reflects on each and every part of your life. Depression can turn us into a lot of things with negativity and pessimism being up front and center.

How Does Depression Make You Pessimistic?

One thing I’ll say about my pessimism during bouts of depression is that it can be so subtle. A major sign of depression is distorted thinking and this is how pessimism can rear its ugly head. It can become a sneaky part of your day that you may not even notice yourself. It may ultimately take someone else bringing the habit to your attention.

This is exactly why I wanted to write this blog in the first place, to bring awareness. Often, the people around us don’t necessarily know the right way to bring up your pessimistic behavior. So hopefully this blog can take the place of that lag in communication and force some self-evaluation.

Spotting Pessimistic Depression

Think about your days. Think about how you’re feeling overall. If you experience more low days than not, you may be suffering from depression. (keep in mind, I am not a doctor and you should always consult with a healthcare provider before making any diagnosis or jumping to conclusions) What’s your energy level like? Are you excited and energized about your days or do you feel “over it” more often than not?

The points listed above are just starting points to diagnosing depression but now think about your reactions to things.

• Is your response during a conversation a negative one more often than not?
• Do you often feel unenthusiastic about potential events or scenarios?
• Do you expect things to suck even if you have no reason to?
• Do you assume that someone won’t like you?
• Do you assume that people are talking behind your back all the time?
• Do you think you’re not as good as other people?
• Do you think someone else is always more “fit” for the job?
• Do you talk negatively about yourself?
• Do you think good things are rare and will quickly disappear?
• Are you annoyed by positive/happy people?

If you do many of these things and have other signs of depression, then there’s a chance that depression is in fact making you pessimistic. If you are naturally a bit of a pessimist, then keep an eye on how deep that pessimism is running. For example, there’s a difference between saying “That party might not be that fun” and “That party won’t be fun because nobody wants me there anyway and I’m irrelevant”. Distorted thinking from depression can not only cause a false, negative thought itself, it can also dramatize the ones we may have in a non-depressive state too!

Solving Your Pessimistic Problems

As I mentioned before, it’s important to note that pessimistic thinking can also come from poor self-esteem, environment, and upbringing. Like most things in life, it’s important to look at the big picture to get an accurate plan that will improve your life.

If you think you might be experiencing pessimistic depression, please seek help. This could mean talking to a friend, family member, or therapist. Finding a good therapist can help you sort through these negative feelings and make some sense of it all. When it comes to clinical depression, there’s what I refer to as a “scale” for symptoms. Being depressed doesn’t always mean you’re crying all day every day or suicidal. It could be more subtle and show up as pessimism, negativity, fatigue, irritability, and anxiety.

You deserve a happy, positive, FUN life. If depression is making you feel pessimistic, among other things, you owe it to yourself to figure out why and I truly hope you do.

Remember friends, just as the great Ice Cube once said… Chickity Check yo’ self before you wreck yo’ self.