September 28th, 2013, 04:46 AM
Er... from personal experience only, I would say that feeling depressed over the nature of things is a stepping stone. For several years I was distraught over our place in the Universe "or lack thereof", the inevitable extinction of our species, all of our works of societal egalitarianism, scientific prowess, cultivation of the arts, "poof" gone. Eventually I sought assistance with psychologists...eventually taking medication. After a year of treatment, I'm aware of the insignificance of humanity in a seemingly endless Universe, but I acknowledge it, and move on with my life indifferent to how meaningless it is. As to how to help people with this? If they are willing, talk to them. I'm socially isolated "by choice", and thusly really trudged myself into a philosophical pit via circular arguments and even non-sequitors easily pointed out by other people. What you describe is commonly referred to as "nihilism", at least one of its forms. As to my "very limited" knowledge, I believe its primary side effect would be anhedonia.
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