Am I pessimistic b/c I suffer from depression or am I actually just realistic? Sure, I see how someone can be generally optimistic when they're happy; but overall when I look at the world I see more good than bad, more suffering than joy. I'm not a complainer, but if I bring up the bad (and also true) when someone's trying to paint a pretty picture out of something dreary I get accused of being pessimistic. Is it wrong to think that [many] happy people are oblivious to the suffering of the world b/c their life is good?

Some times I think we are just more in tune with the bad stuff because we relate to it. Happy people things that are happy and I think they choose to see it that way so that they don't become sad. I try hard to find something good in everything... its not easy but it can be done,

Depression usually gives us negative/pessimistic feedback that everything is bad/sad and makes us feel bad about ourself. What we percieve we see no positive response. Like you see the pain and suffering in the world and it makes you feel sad-that is a fairly normal emotional response (I have it, too). If you respond negatively to the cheerful painted picture your friends describe, the usual response from them is you're pessimistic. I've had the same reaction from my friends.

Have you sought professional help? I find therapy is most beneficial in changing the way I think and behave. It's been hard self-work to change the negative ingrained patterns to postive ones. Consider giving therapy a go.

I don't know if all happy people are oblivious to pain and suffering. Not all happy people have a good life, either. We don't know how they think or react to issues.

Just my thoughts.
Sheepwoman

Hi charlie brownest I agree entirely with Sheepwoman.

Depression thinking and talking is always black and whire, joyless, motiveless, no interest - just blank - no happy feelings=no happy neurotransmitters.

We all know that feeling. See your Doc, get professional advice, and get yourself well again. Writing here helps a lot - for all of us.

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Jim Bow