[Amelia]

Perhaps this would lead to the question: are FReepers more inclined toward depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, addictions, etc. than the society at large?

Or perhaps only the FReepers who have experience in those areas tend to post on those threads, giving the impression of larger numbers?

Not that I have any answers, mind you, but they are interesting questions (to me, anyway...)

[Lazamataz]

Perhaps this would lead to the question: are FReepers more inclined toward depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, addictions, etc. than the society at large?

I'd answer you, but I'm too bummed out and I'm obsessing on it.

[Lazamataz]

Perhaps this would lead to the question: are FReepers more inclined toward depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, addictions, etc. than the society at large?

No, let me be serious for a moment: When I am speaking of obsessive behavior, I want to differentiate that from OCD. OCD is the repetitive 'ritualistic' behavior Howard Stern suffered from, for example. You don't think you closed the door right, so you do it over and over again.

No, when I speak of obsessive behavior, it's not that. I get obsessive over a subject: Freeping or studying physics or handgunning or loving a woman or training a dog. I get 'addicted' to any of these things. I'm a very addictive personality. You could give me a paper clip and three bits of fluff and I would get addicted to it.

[Neets]

I am going to try to give you my analysis of this phenomenon.

FreeRepublic is a "group" much like a Military Installation, and much unlike our hometown communities.

We are a gathering of people from each state, different countries, and various towns/cities joined together by an issue that interests us all. (just like in the military where you have Installation X and everyone who lives/works there is involved in some sort of military occupation/interest).

After having military service and Civil Service for over 25 years I have observed that at each duty station it felt like we had overly high instances of cancer illness or death, people suffering from depression and even criminal activity.

Because there are so many people from so many different areas, the likliehood that there would be higher than norm instances of these things is normal.

I guess my point is that the more people you have from many different places, the more likely you are going to have more of these types of things.

It's not the nature of the place that makes these things more frequent, but the numbers of people and their different orgigins, etc.

[Ladysmith]

In my case, it was living the life of a liberal that sent me down the road of depression and all. Liberalism is death and it pisses me off to no end. It just so happens that I find many of the same mind in here in that they hate liberalism and what it's doing to us and our country.

[Nataku X]

Perhaps this would lead to the question: are FReepers more inclined toward depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, addictions, etc. than the society at large?

I'd say that all those who lead active Internet lives are more likely to be depressed than society at large, but conservatives are less depressed than liberals. This time last year I was depressed, so down that I wrote a FR prayer request thread.

Nothing could help me. Cynicism and bitterness ate at me. I tried my best to hide it from those who loved me, knowing that NO ONE likes a depressed friend who's saying "there's nothing to life".

But, I'll share my observations--high school kids, single people, and college students have a much higher rate of depression than today. My theory--which my mother inspired--is that humans aren't meant to live within themsleves, they're not meant to live for themselves. If you're single or in high school or in college, your world revolves around--guess who? YOU!

My depression was cured when I got an apartment, a job, and 2 cats. I was no longer living for myself solely. I have responsibilities to my apartment and my two lovely cats.

My mother echoes that the thing that made her the happiest was having children. She no longer lived within herself--she lived through her two children. If you're living in a "me" world, you're going against God's design.

I know that the very thing that hurts a depressed person the most is "it's your fault" and "you're depressed because you're not close enough to God". Neither is true! American culture encourages the exact you-are-center-of-the-universe lifestyle that makes you empty and bitter and depressed. Is it so surprising that depression is so high in America and in European cultures where "me" is the #1 rule?

[gatorbait]

Or perhaps only the FReepers who have experience in those areas tend to post on those threads, giving the impression of larger numbers?

I think it indicates Freepers, by and large, are courageous,honest people, willing to open up with their fellows and offer help,support or even a sounding board.

Freepers are hardly the moral weaklings our counterparts on the Left are.Sometimes we do fall, and sometimes, sadly, we don't get up as quickly as we should or could.
Trapped's loss is a sadness and a lesson for us all. If we,any of us, find ourselves down,m we can turn to the friends we've made here. Most of us will go beyond a damn screen to help.

[Senator Pardek]

...are FReepers more inclined toward depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, addictions, etc. than the society at large?

By some of the posts on this thread, it appears that Freepers are more inclined to being insensitive "holier-than-thou" blowhard ghouls.