In particular, how can the virtue of gratitude affect the life of someone who struggles with depression?
Gudan: Depression is a complicated thing, an inter-related web of multiple causes and consequences involving genetics, brain chemistry, attitudes, behaviors, and interpersonal relationships. It is difficult for psychologists to distinguish what is the cause and what is the consequence of the various aspects of depression. However, one way of confronting depression is seeing the power that negative attitudes have upon our experience of the world and our relationships, affecting our behaviors and ultimately even our brain chemistry. Depressed persons generally have a negative attitude and are frustrated with all the bad things that are happening to them. They feel like “they just can’t get a break, that they just can’t get what they want.” This negative attitude becomes a filter that focuses and amplifies all the bad things that happen. For some reason, it is far easier for us to remember bad things that have happened to us rather than good things. Depressed persons think that “they are
