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'Sticky thinking' hampers decisions in depression

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116 points domofutu | 1 comments | 23 Jun 25 21:01 UTC | HN request time: 0.232s | source
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MobileVet ◴[26 Jun 25 12:38 UTC] No.44386836[source]▶
Being an engineer, I use the analogy of SNR, signal to noise ratio. Depression and anxiety, often comorbid, raise the noise floor to the point that it is incredibly hard to feel confident that a decision can be made. This in turn results in a decision NOT being made and progress dragging on... which only raises the tension around the situation. It is a horribly vicious downward cycle.

I have seen this first hand in loved ones and also experienced it occasionally myself, though thankfully less frequently. I am extremely adept at compartmentalizing, including work and life... but a deep depression knows no limits easily bleeds over into everything. The mental noise is deafening. I was shocked how strong the effect was during a recent episode of depression, despite my typically strong executive functioning skills.

Equally amazing is the 'blue skies' and 'quiet mind' that can be achieved with proper treatment, for which I am infinitely grateful.

Please seek out help if you are struggling.

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cnity ◴[26 Jun 25 12:51 UTC] No.44386934[source]▶
If you wrote a book called "Mental Health for Engineers" I'd read it. You are very good at articulating the subjective experience.
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1. MobileVet ◴[26 Jun 25 21:00 UTC] No.44391311[source]▶
Wow, thank you, that is very kind.

Something my wife and I decided very on in our journey into the space was to be as open as possible about it; both to help with distigmatjzation as well as just general knowledge sharing. I certainly knew nothing about mental health and illness until severe mental illness arrived on our doorstep and we had to get educated fast.

With 5% of the US population suffering from severe mental illness and another 20% having experienced an acute or less significant issue, it is quite common. The more we know, the more we can be helpful to those around us or ourselves.

I gave a 'co-learning' presentation on mental health to our company... maybe I should consider expanding the scope of my shared experience. Thanks for your encouragement.