Can this cause depression?!?

Question:

Can having too much time on your hands, not enough responsibilities, and lack of involvement in any extra curricular activities, bring about depression? When someone is not challenged, they get bored. When someone is bored, that usually governs more time on their hands, to think, to analyze, to worry, and to begin to think something is wrong with them. I know when my schedule is full, I'm less likely to feel depressed. My mind is occupied and I don't have time to think badly about myself or my life, or anything for that matter. It kind of reminds me of the 50's actually (from what i've read, i'm 23yrs old). When a lot of house wives became suddenly depressed, having so much more time on their hands due to new inventions, that gave them more freedom, but also took away/ or lessened their responsibilities, and therefore decreased the need for mom, so much.
Does anyone feel the same as me? Or understand where I'm coming form? I think i'm going to start addding more to my plate.

Answers:
Everyone needs to have a purpose in life to nourish vitality.

wow.. i used to feel like that.. and i got rid of it when i started finding hobbies to do.. and especially having friends around, more importantly positive friends who can motivate you to do activities together. sex is a good activity for example. maybe you should find partners willing to do things that you have in common

I suppose it depends on the person and their mindset. People react differently to things, whether its not enough on their plates, or having too much. I do understand the aspect that you're trying to give, but oddly, there won't be a 100% answer to this. People are different, just find what works for you. :)

yes that probs could cause depression. feeling slightly useless, like you have so much time but it is wasted.
i think you should take up something..
music is good...
or make it your ambition to do a backflip or the splits or something challenging and train a bit for it everyday.
put a challenge into your life and you will feel like you are working towards something.

Too much time on your hands can definitely cause depression. I have been there (when I wasn't working but a stay-at-home Mom - don't get me wrong I was busy - but not doing things for ME) There is not doubt about it: when you're not busy you tend to dwell on things - and negative thoughts continue to build and build. Get up, get out, take a walk, read a book.. there is a good one about just this thing called "Learned Optimism" by Dr. Martin Selig. He has studied the other side of depression (optimism) for 40 years and has been in time mag etc. He discusses just this thing in his book. It was great. He likens depression to a "cancer of the thoughts" one negative thought leading to another and to another, etc. Don't dwell - do something - anything!

Yes, I definitely can relate! Best of luck to you. Hope this helps.

there are many different types of depressions so it is possible that yes you may be feeling a little depressed if you have to much time on your hands. if you start doing more thimgs and the depression comes back you may want to checkwith your family doctor for a full check up and then follow his advice.

Mood follows action. Try exercise for starters. Then go out and help someone. Volunteer. You'll feel better. It sounds like you need to get out of your head. One of my favorites: Don't believe everything you think!

Good luck. Peace.

Can this cause depression?!?

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