I certainly did not mean to cause mass hysteria - LOL!

I think I might have confused the issue by referring to Rawat as self-centered in the same post where I referred to depression as a self-centered experience.

There is more than one type and degree of self-centeredness. And words often lead us astray on this forum.

There is the kind of s.c. where only one's feelings or desires matter, e.g. Rawat (see below for my thoughts on his "depressive" state).

Then there is the kind of s.c. where the self seems to be the focus of existence and it is difficult to perceive the "bigger picture" outside onself - that is what I meant when I referred to "depressives" as s.c.

I also used the word "depressive" as an abbreviation for writing out "a depressed person". It's just a laziness in typing online - not all people who experience depression can be put into one category of "depressive" but I didn't want to write it over and over again - sorry - sheer laziness.

It's good that things settled down before I read these replies, or I might have thought that I stepped on a land mine! LOL

Lexy, I have EXTENSIVE experience with depression of all types. I was a pyschiatric nurse for many years, and since JHB has revealed my gender in his constant references to "she", I will admit that yes, I am a female. I have encountered many types of depression as a nurse, several in my own life due to various losses, and I have also experienced that depression caused by looking for meaning in life.

I know that depression is self-centered, because it was always worse for me when I was focused on my"self" and not able to see beyond myself. This does not make me a bad person, since I do not think that being self-centered is particularly wrong in moderation. I do believe that if one obsesses on self, then it can get dangerous - just look at Rawat! The whole focus of his world is himself. And how does he deal with his depression? He doesn't meditate - he drinks. And no on can tell me he isn't depressed - or he wouldn't be an alcoholic!

I am also not saying that self-centeredness CAUSES depression, but it can certainly aggravate it.

Anyway, no offence intended, but please everyone, do try not to take things so personally. I was simply stating my opinion as an ex-premie, an ex-psych nurse and person who has also experienced depression -- , that nollidge is a complete waste of time, and could even be dangerous for anyone suffering from depression already!