I've had a rough life shared by my older brother who suffers from depression due to our childhood. My father died when I was eleven, and my mother made me work instead of go to school. I ran away from home at fifteen, went to high school, and college. My question is this. Why didn't all the negative factors in my life affect me like it did my brother? I can safely say, I have never been depressed or really truely unhappy, Ever! My friends thought I was on something, my brother says I'm in denial. I have always been happy, no matter what happens to me. Am I a shallow person? A psychologist of my brothers told me once when I asked him what kind of person I was, a glass half empty or half full. He said I'm a person that just says there's water in the glass. Why do I feel so happy all the time?
2007-02-22 23:19:43 · 9 answers · asked by Starjumper the R&S Cow 7 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Different siblings experiencing the same childhood difficulties often develop differently. It's the old nature or nurture venue. Your brother might be predisposed to depression. This means the chemicals in his brain are conducive to depression, whereas your chemical makeup predisposes you to being cheerful and perky. No, you are not a shallow person! Don't be concerned about this. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Just understand that each maturity levy of life we enter into gives us a new set of problems to explore, master, and accomplish. You may have some of this hit you hard later on in life. If so, recognize it as such, and get help if you feel you need it. Nothing wrong with an occasional talk with a trusted friend, family member or psychologist.
2007-02-22 23:27:40 · answer #1 · answered by Pixie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why does happiness seem to have to be a problem.
Depression is the condition that gets treated, not happiness. The only reason you think there might be something wrong is that others have a hard time with you being happy when they are down.
In short you stand out like a sore thumb and people in general have a hard time with that and can ostracize them because they are different.
Keep on being your smiley happy self.
2007-02-23 08:14:07 · answer #2 · answered by Joe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you are beating yourself up for being happy and well grounded. LOL Well-grounded people see and understand the big pictures of life circumstance and have a tremendous amount of acceptance that things are just what they are and we cannot change what we have no control over. Be proud that you are this way...there aren't many of us in the world to spread this kind of joy. There is nothing wrong with you. Stay the way you are and life will treat you very well and will be rewarding in tremendous ways!
Best regards!
2007-02-23 07:31:46 · answer #3 · answered by rggiggles 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't get overwhlmed by all the replies that say you are an optimist and being always cheerful is the real way to be. Nope! Emotions are like our compass: to know what's good and what's bad; to know what's working for us, and what's not. A compass always stuck on North is of no use. Similarly, your mind always stuck on one emotion (happiness or grief) is of no use. You should be cheerful when you are approaching a bed of roses. But what will happen if you are equally cheerful to apporach a hungry lion?
Just think for yourself.
2007-02-23 07:33:45 · answer #4 · answered by ravish2006 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes!! Well, Maybe It's Because You ARE Happy!! I Knew there Must Be Someone!! Rejoice!! @8-) Never Let the Turkeys Get You Down!! (Many people pay all kinds of money trying to feel and act like you do.) Carry On!!
2007-02-23 07:25:23 · answer #5 · answered by Dovey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are always looking at the bright side. You are able to manage life's difficulties. That's a positive character. Like me, when my younger sister died, I didn't cry the whole moment of the wake and even during the burial, and it doesn't mean I was not affected by her death. Life is like that. It's the matter of accepting life as it is. LIfe is beautiful, enjoy to the fullest.
2007-02-23 07:47:30 · answer #6 · answered by Makisig 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you handled a very bad situation in the best possible way. if you stayed you would have been depressed, it worked opposite for you than you brother. you most likely wouldn't be where you are today if you stayed in that enviornment. you freed yourself, you are not in denial...happy for you...whatever, it worked for you....
2007-02-23 07:28:55 · answer #7 · answered by brown eyes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most people run away to not go to hi school is your family name Twist
2007-02-23 07:28:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you are optimistic ! that's a good way to be !
2007-02-23 07:24:17 · answer #9 · answered by Scorpius59 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋