Positive fantasies about the future may increase depression

A new psychology study published in the journal Psychological Science, suggests that people who fantasize about an idealized future tend to have fewer depressive symptoms in the present, but face more depressive symptoms in the future.

http://www.psypost.org/2016/01/posi...e-future-predict-symptoms-of-depression-40583

 

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And what about the magic of "positive thinking"? Damnit.

And he said to himself, "be happy, it could be worse". And he was happy, and it came worse.

Good. I'll go back to my pessimist way, and be positively surprised if things actually develop better than expected.

 

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Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.

 

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So, disappointment makes people unhappy? Quelle surprise!
This is why men need wives. Somebody has to say "But what if it doesn't?"

On the other hand, what does this make of all the 'visualization' techniques and self-help books?
For that matter, how can you aim for anything ambitious without imagining the reality of its attainment?

 

I don't know about depression but it sure increases the death rate for those men believe their future is with seven virgins, if they die a martyr’s death.