Is thinking too deeply make a person prone to depression?

Question

So I've been browsing some resolved questions here on Y! Answers and an interesting question popped into my head. I tend to think deeply about a lot of things, and keep to myself a lot of the time; I'm a definite introvert. I know that several authorities in the psych field seem to think that introversion is a strength. I don't agree with this... I mean society ultimately defines right and wrong, correct? I think it is only a fact of this society that this is so. Therefore, I'm defective in this sense.

I'm shy but I'm trying to come out of my shell. But I have one problem...like a said above, I think deeply. I often retreat into my mind, and let the thoughts run wild. I have scored a few friends but I can't shake this depressive feeling. I just want to "get with it", get out of this habit of self-absorbtion, and be more extraverted.

So! could this habit make a person depressed? Is there a surefire way to remove my introversion? Please tell me.

Answer 1

I used to be where you are, but little by little I managed to supposedly 'come out from my shell'. I think a lot too and I don't talk to anyone whether I feel good or bad. I couldn't even socialize like a normal person.

But what you could do is take things one step at a time. Start by being good to yourself and stop critisizing yourself. You only have yourself to fall back on so you're the only one you can trust 100%. When you start thinking too much, you might want to write down your thoughts in a journal or a blog. Or find out what helps to distract you from them.

Share your worries with people you trust, like a very good friend, your parents (if they are helpful), or your siblings if you have any, because what you need is a lot of support from a others. Don't hang around people who are only there to pull you down, you can always choose your friends.

You could take walks, meditate or face your own fears. Do something that scares you once in awhile and just have fun. Don't take anything too seriously, and I have a feeling that you need to laugh once in awhile too. But take one step at a time. You will see that life isn't so bad, and that your worries aren't always justified.

Eventually believe in yourself, know your values, know your limits, be realistic about your goals, and know that you -can- come out of your shell if you want to. I know what it feels like so I understand that it's not so easy.

Good luck :)

Answer 2

Unfortunately, depression often plagues the intelligent. But thinking deeply doesn't neccessarily equal being depressed. Means that you are thoughtful, which is a really good quality to have.

Society, although popular, is not always right. Being introverted is NOT a defect, a LOT of people are introverted and it's not a bad thing. If it were, about half the population would be defective. One thing that I say a lot is "there's no such thing as 'normal' " - so why should you try to be?

I'm introverted and keep to myself a lot. Yes, do have a depressive side, but because of some experiences that I've had, I'm probably stonger than a number of the "normal" people out there.

You can't change who you are, and if you made yourself "appear normal" you probably wouldn't be happy with the façade. Just be yourself and don't worry that you don't meet society's standards, it's not worth it. Being introverted also means that what friends you do have, they will always be true, not some of the "friends" that don't give a fig about you. There is no way to "remove" introversion, just try to get out a bit more, but only as long as you feel comfortable with it.

Be yourself and be comfortable with who you are, that's all that matters.

Answer 3

Thinking deeply is different than depression in that, in depression, you tend to get stuck in your thinking, going over the same things again and again. Also, you tend to feel hopeless and helpless about situations and life.

However, labeling yourself as defective, if not an indication of depression, can lead into it. We can be what we are, but be flexible when necessary. You might feel more comfortable with people more like yourself, for example join a philosophy study group.

Basically, if you can deal with people when you need to, and are attempting to make friends, you're probably OK. But counseling can help with all kinds of things, like lack of self esteem.

Answer 4

I used ponder if depression caused too much thinking or if too much thinking caused depression. I have come to the conclusion that the emotional tags we attach to the thoughts we are thinking could assist in triggering depression, but not cause it. If you are already depressed, too much thinking already occurs.

I have had a similar experience to yours, which was only resolved by finding the right people to converse with. Once I found that a lot of my thoughts were going through a few or more heads, plus the exchange and elaboration of ideas was almost an existential high, there was this feeling of deflation as if my brain was finally empting its bowels of waste.

I have been lucky in finding the right people to have engaging conversations with. I have a feeling that a lot of people like you and me are out there, but too into ourselves, (not in a narcissistic fashion), to attempt any kind of outlet.

Perhaps if you try meditation, the attempt to diminish thoughts or slow them down, it would help you. Try sitting or lying down in a comfortable room with dim lighting and little noise. Breathe deeply and count to 10. Everytime you encounter a thought while counting restart at one until you have successfully counted to ten without thinking. Picturing the number may help. Once you master this it will be easier to quiet your thoughts without counting.

Answer 5

Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..

But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.

Helping you eliminate depression?

Answer 6

You're my reflection, friend. The only way to break out of it is to practice, to put yourself in uncomfortable situations, like meeting new people and speaking in front of groups. You'll eventually become more comfortable with it. I "shell up" when someone I don't know tries to talk to me, and I would like this to stop. As far as the deep thinking goes, the more you think, the more time you spend with yourself, which keeps you away from people. You want to get closer, not further away. This, in the end, will lead to deeper depression--being alone with your thoughts. Deep thinking, alone, will not lead to depression. Deep thinking is great and will only make you stronger, mentally. There's no reason to shut off your thoughts. Just limit your deep thought sessions to, lets say, during the night, and spend the day with people. I hope this helps. You're not alone.

Answer 7

I do not believe so, I think that most depression
is a chemical imbalance fed by things that are going on in your life. There is nothing wrong with being an introvert if you are happy with yourself. Alone or with a group you need to be thinking positive thoughts and working toward a higher goal

Answer 8

You sound like me when I was younger. Being shy and introverted does make you depressed. You run over a situation that you could have said something to someone you are interested in but you held back. I out grew that shy part when I finally realized that I could be alone with my thoughts or I could reach out past myself and connect with people , (women) around me. It was daunting every time I did this but I got to know some very special people. And they called on me as they got to know me better. Things are never easy when your very shy as I was, but all it takes sometimes is to open your mouth and let yourself out.

Answer 9

Yes! ive been through it too, and the fact your relizing it is the first step. you are on your way to being happy again.. i went through this in college, analzying everything - EVERYTHING. i was thinking all the time and i coudlnt stop. i finally relized what your saying here is that it was making me severly dpressed. started trying to look at things real lightly at a face value and stop worrying about the world problmes ( liek who wants to sit there and think of all the crappy crap on the news al day ) and start just thinking really simply and im a happier person for it.. great for you! i had to push the back button afew times to get o you question again becuase ive so been wehre you are and i wanted to asnwer it. i even had to do antidepressants for a year or two to help me get out of it, but it worked.

Answer 10

yes. it does and will depress you.