Depression

[paulh]

I recall Churchill had a "black dog" of depression and had thought the "black dog" to be a rather metaphorical description, but now I wonder if it is literal.

I found this by Paul Feyerabend - a philosopher of science - writing of his own experience:

"The depression stayed with me for over a year; it was like an animal, a well-defined, spatially localizable thing. I would wake up, open my eyes, listen -- Is it here or isn't? No sign of it. Perhaps it's asleep. Perhaps it will leave me alone today. Carefully, very carefully, I get out of bed. All is quiet. I go to the kitchen, start breakfast. Not a sound. TV - Good Morning America -, David What's-his-name, a guy I can't stand. I eat and watch the guests. Slowly the food fills my stomach and gives me strength. Now a quick excursion to the bathroom, and out for my morning walk - and here she is, my faithful depression: "Did you think you could leave without me?"

Could one of the mechanisms of depression be an external "well-defined, spatially localizable" entity?

[vajranagini]

The "black dog" is a universal metaphor; it even crosses cultures. I have heard the same expression used by Hindus. It is interesting to note that "black' is the colour of Saturn, and Saturn rules depressive conditions. If you are "depressed", you almost certainly have a Saturn transit taking place in your horoscope, or a negative natal Saturnian aspect has been triggered by directions.. I recommend reading "The Greatness of Saturn" by Dr. Robert Svoboda; he gives excellent recommendations for dealing with Saturnian strife. I know this because I have TRIED them (I have a negative Saturnian configuration in my horoscope which is associated with chronic depression), and they WORK.

[maximus]

Black Dog was also a cool song by Led Zepplin.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9i2fqxSjTI