Depression and music

[trustno1]

Do you think there is a heavy connection between the music you listen to and depressive periods or that's not much of a factor?

For example, when I kinda had a depression period, looking back at it I listened to a lot of the sad melancholic stuff by John Frusciante, Swans, Katatonia, Slowdive etc. But at the same time I was still listening to heavy and extreme music so I'm not exactly sure If melancholic and sad music contributes a lot. But anyway, I sort of believe that, among other factors, it can worsen things or keep the status quo, instead of making it better.

I still listen to music like that, It's artistic and beautiful, but I always mix it up with some heavy shit that pumps me the fuck up like Gojira, Bolt Thrower, Crowbar, Pantera, Hatebreed and many more. And it's working great.

 

[Benoitthegr8]

Interesting thoughts, I usually listen to talk radio on the drive to work, but from time to time crank up the volume and play my 80's or 90's metal and this gets my blood pumping in a good way, I honestly think I need to listen to more music as I did in the days past, but I really can't crank up Metallica or Slayer when I've got my kids with me riding in the truck.

 

[LuchaBear]

I like to get high off music when I'm down. It's fun.

 

[HerpDerp]

There definitely is a connection for me on both a conscious and subconscious level.

For the conscious part, often times when I'm feeling particularily spent and shitty in the middle of a tough schedule, I specifically listen to something that I know for sure will get some feels out of me.

For me, taking a moment in the midst of everything and just giving myself time to process what exactly it is I'm feeling is really important. Doing that kind of functions as a sudden release of pent up negative emotions and often helps take the edge off of the depressive thoughts and feelings I'm going through. Is there a better way to induce such a state of mind than music? For me there isn't.

In Finnish, there's a specific word for what I'm describing, called "Kyynelrunkkaus" which practically translates into "Jerking off for tears".

 

[BearGrounds]

The average adult human body is roughly 50-60% water. Your brain is about 75%.

 

[squeezewax]

When i've had a broken heart i do tend to listen to a few sad songs.

 

[mihailovich]

For sure. Some music may also sound depressing or melancholic in a hindsight if you listened that music when you didn't feel so good. One of my favorite "life hacks" is to go on a beach / surf holiday somewhere and listen to only few good, previously unknown albums the whole time. Enough to become conditioned to the good vibes w/ that music.

Then after the trip if I have a bad day I'll just put the same music on and feel better. But it really doesn't have to be cheerful music tho. It's about the feeling you had while listening it in the first place.

 

[Thurisaz]

That's the reason I don't listen to depressive black metal. It's only useful if you want to feel like shit.

I listen to all sorts of pagan war shit that make me feel like I can walk through walls. Even Trump Mexican walls.

 

[HUNTERMANIA]

Yes, I think there is a connection. You should monitor closely how music makes you feel.

Sometimes when you're already depressed, depressing music sounds empowering because you identify with that energy level, but if you continue to listen to it all the time it will depress you further.

 

[Jesus Freak]

Do you think there is a heavy connection between the music you listen to and depressive periods or that's not much of a factor?

For example, when I kinda had a depression period, looking back at it I listened to a lot of the sad melancholic stuff by John Frusciante, Swans, Katatonia, Slowdive etc. But at the same time I was still listening to heavy and extreme music so I'm not exactly sure If melancholic and sad music contributes a lot. But anyway, I sort of believe that, among other factors, it can worsen things or keep the status quo, instead of making it better.

I still listen to music like that, It's artistic and beautiful, but I always mix it up with some heavy shit that pumps me the fuck up like Gojira, Bolt Thrower, Crowbar, Pantera, Hatebreed and many more. And it's working great.

Music is created from the depths of our souls, therefore, it's no surprise that we have no trouble connecting with certain genres of music.

During an upbeat song, a young baby will bounce up and down once his legs allow him to do so. This is something we don't have to teach.

We play soft stuff when we're getting frisky with our ladies, we play more upbeat stuff when we're at the gym, and we play everything in between, depending on how we're feeling.

Ever fall in love with a song from a genre you completely dislike!? I know I have!

Now, if I may provide a reason for the powerful (negative) effect of (some) music...and I'll utilize a few lyrics from J. Monty's "100 Bars: Part 3".

Let's take it back to when Lucifer fell
He was the most beautiful angel his body was home to where music indwelled
It was music that made him so beautiful
Spittin' out bars like his tooth was in jail
Then he started thinkin' that he could be God
That's when he was rebuked and expelled
But before he fell he spoke to the angels up there to confuse and compel them
One final attempt to steal glory from God, he made up the untruest of tales and
Said he was a god and he blinded their eyes with his music like using a veil and
One third of the angels believed and
Pursuing his trail they got booted as well and
Got sent to the Earth now he's like a lion just roaming and moving his tail and
Now those angels are demons and they have conformed and committed to do what he tells them
He's so stupid he's doin' the same thing he did up in heaven and you couldn't tell
But instead of getting angels to Earth, now he's tryna get humans to hell

This is NOT to say that listening to music is bad...quite the opposite! But, we have to be more careful about we allow into our dome! This kind of ties in with your initial post which describes you listening to certain music during a certain period of time in your life.

 

[jmag]

Music of mortals is largely desolate.

 

[HelloJapan]

I think its situational, a lot of variables. But yes, music to some can be very connected to what they do. In no way is it a "cause" though for ones extreme actions. 99% of the time music is inspiring, even in the darkest times...whether "venting" or getting motivated.

Fuck a life without music. On that note...

 

[Max Power]

I have no idea why people listen to depressing music. I'm all about happy/upbeat or at the very least energetic music.

 

[Me]

Don't reinforce your sadness when you're depressed. It can make it worse.

My doc described depression as a sort of "muscle memory" thing. The longer your melon produces the chemicals that make you depressed, the harder it is to get back to normal.

 

[Demogoblin]

why listen to a sad song if you are depresed

 

[Demogoblin]

does anyone know any inspirational songs that try to make us enjoy life?

i live one of the worst traffic areas of the world i am happy to get home in one piece every day

 

[weed]

does anyone know any inspirational songs that try to make us enjoy life?

i live one of the worst traffic areas of the world i am happy to get home in one piece every day

 

[DIABOLUS]

does anyone know any inspirational songs that try to make us enjoy life?

i live one of the worst traffic areas of the world i am happy to get home in one piece every day

I want to get lyrics from this one ("Turn On The Bright Lights") tattooed just below my collarbones:





"NYC" by Interpol

-----------------------------

I had seven faces
Thought I knew which one to wear
I'm sick of spending these lonely nights
Training myself not to care

The subway is a porno
The pavements, they are a mess
I know you've supported me for a long time
Somehow I'm not impressed

But New York cares
(Got to be some more change in my life)
New York cares
(Got to be some more change in my life)
New York cares
(Got to be some more change in my life)
New York cares
(Got to be some more change in my life)

Subway, she is a porno
And the pavements they are a mess
I know you've supported me for a long time
Somehow I'm not impressed

It's up to me now
Turn on the bright lights
Oh, it's up to me now
Turn on the bright lights

New York cares
(Got to be some more change in my life)
New York cares
(Got to be some more change in my life)
New York cares
(Got to be some more change in my life)
New York cares
(Got to be some more change in my life)

It's up to me now
(Got to be some more change in my life)
Turn on the bright lights
(Got to be some more change in my life)
Oh, it's up to me now
(Got to be some more change in my life)
Turn on the bright lights
(Got to be some more change in my life)

 

[Thai Domi]

 

[Buff]

I used to listen to music all the time until the songs I listen to started reminding me about all of the shit I caused myself...