Is mental health a shared experience?

If you're around happy people eventually you'll be happier?

If you're around sad depressed people you'll feel low and depressed?

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CrazyMusicLover · 31-35

Not for me. I hate being around happy people when I feel miserable. It makes me feel even worse. Especially if it's someone I don't like. Perhaps there could be an exception if it was someone really kind who I like and I'd genuinely feel they deserve their happiness, luck and success but otherwise no. I just want to be alone and far away from them then.

I guess it depends a lot on who it is and what kind of relationship/experience I have with them.

faery · F

Of course we influence each other with our mental health/moods, but to what degree and in a positive or negative way depends on a multitude of variables. It's complicated.

For instance: take two people with opposite mindsets and put only them together. Who will be more influential on the other?

Mellowgirl · 31-35, F

@faery I think that's where status or appeared status comes in and maybe confidence.

faery · F

@Mellowgirl I think so too, among other things. I think we are influenced when we're seeking a change, mostly.

OlderSometimesWiser · F

Not necessarily. When I’m depressed, happy people can feel like nails on a chalkboard.

HowtoDestroyAngels · 46-50, M

I believe that to be true.

Musicman · 61-69, M

I think you are correct. I personally believe we adapt to our surroundings. I would much rather be around happy upbeat people.

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Mellowgirl · 31-35, F

@Musicman I think I read a while back something about living in shared housing can also affect your health. Something about good for social interactions and loneliness but actually the person with the worst health can trigger poor spikes in those around them. Something to do with microbiomes on shared cutlery and glass wear, breathing out pathogens into the air.

Yikes.

Musicman · 61-69, M

@Mellowgirl I am definitely not scientist enough to comment on this. My personal thought would be that is a pile of huey. 🤷‍♂

Mellowgirl · 31-35, F

@Musicman lool I dunno... We did just have a COVID pandemic

PhoenixPhail · M

Not necessarily to either. But, I think that's the general trend.

Mellowgirl · 31-35, F

@PhoenixPhail I think this is such an interesting concept. . I just posted a snippet I just read to musicman, but I remember years ago I watched a documentary about tourettes. And they say they grade them 1-4 anyways when they put all grade 1s together their ticks remained the same, but as they added higher levels it actually made the ones scale up and adopt other ticks. Apparently this was heightened by the stress of trying to suppress some of the impulsive feelings they started to feel.

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