I have multiple issues with this. First of all, depression through stresses and clinical depressions are very different and the introductory paragraph is extremely shallow, brushing all over this. Many mental issues can lead to a comorbide depression.<p>Secondly, being depressed and being suicidal are related, the first often comes before the second, but not the same. By putting suicide hotlines front and center, the impression is there, though.<p>I know multiple cases where "but I'm not trying to do me any harm" was an internal barrier not to seek help, although they were depressed. If you are seeking help because you are suicidal, that's already way too late.<p>Finally, it assumes that this is just an unfortunate side effect of startup life, without critically engaging with that statement.<p>If you are down for irrational reasons of in emotional flakey states, try to find contacts, post on devpressed, visit a professional. Even if you don't have a strong or lasting depression, this will probably help get more secure in your feelings again.
As someone who is dealing with a similar issue right now, I actually felt inclined to create a throwaway account just to comment on this. It's easy to find all kinds of talk about depression online, but that talk is less helpful when (in my case) the cause of the depression is at least in part due to difficulties in terms of sustaining normal friendships with other people in real life. And, I might also add, having nobody to talk to in real life about these kinds of issues. The last thing I need to be doing to fight depression is to continue sitting indoors at my computer reading more articles on the internet.
This is an excellent start with excellent intentions. My first thought: it would help tremendously to have a dedicated, anonymous discussion forum to really have a chance at making an impact.
I would also suggest <a href="http://founderswiki.com/wiki/Avoiding_burnout" rel="nofollow">http://founderswiki.com/wiki/Avoiding_burnout</a> via. lfittl
This is a very useful compilation of resources. At 7 Cups of Tea, we are in the initial stages of figuring out how to better support the startup community. Being a YC startup, we very well understand the challenges founders face in a high pressure environment. If you are interested in working with us on this, then please send an email to info@7cupsoftea.com and we'll be in touch!
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." --George Bernard Shaw
Here is a hack I've found to steer focus away from depression. Whatever your goal is, you have to begin with an understanding you are going to fail. So you won't be depressed since you already know that you are failing or have failed to begin with. Hence, you can focus on the right things to not fail as much. This would help you keep your feet on the ground so you can act small to do things that matter. It may sound silly but, at least, it may help you stay focused.
I'm curious - why are there constantly posts about depression on HN? Is there something about the programmer/startup lifestyle thats more accepting of depressed people?
I guess often the feeling of despair comes from working super hard but still looking at the jarring amount of work ahead. It's not required that you know an answer to everything and finish it all by tomorrow but it's a general sense of running in the desert searching for spots of water here and there, you are worried when you come across long stretches where theres not even a puddle of water and you begin to panic and start asking all sorts of questions like, maybe you've been walking in circles or you start seeing skeletons where those who have walked before you lie. You are getting thirsty but instead of resting you just keep pressing on because the anxiety is slowly setting in. Keep this up and suddenly you aren't able to move very far without considerable amount of effort. No water in sight.
Depressed? No problem, this app will solve all your problems!
<a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6754953" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6754953</a>