Abstract
This article maintains that splitting into polar extremes is detrimental for the individual, for society and for therapy. Accordingly, it balances realism with its opposites of fantasy and idealism, and examines where in society and in therapy we need more of one or the other. It questions whether realism is necessarily linked with depression, and summarizes the research literature which reveals the situational constraints that limit the realism of depressives. The article then goes on to hypothesize some additional benefits of mild depression for both the individual and society. As well as the survival benefits of greater realistic ‘pessimism’, improved cognitive performance and giving up unreachable goals, low mood can carry us below the bland and the superficial into greater depth where the soul can thrive. Finally, some of the steps that might be involved in synthesizing realism and idealism are outlined.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes on contributor
Barbara Dowds is a humanistic and integrative psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer in the Dublin area, Ireland, and author of Beyond the Frustrated Self: Overcoming Avoidant Patterns and Opening to Life (Karnac, 2014). Until 2002 Barbara was a senior lecturer in molecular genetics at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. For more information, see www.barbaradowds.net.