@Lucignolo -- Let's take this apart. I'm beginning to tire of bringing up the same issues over and over, but here goes. This group is a microcosm of society in general and that is extended to the fact that it is also a part of society that participates in social media, and broken down even further, owing to this being a dating site for many, we, like any other dating site, display that specific cross section of society that fits into all those categories. That suggests that much of our site's population is probably introverted to one extent or another and that, in turn, suggests that our population will have a bias toward those who have issues with communication and insecurities. However, it is important to understand that this site will reflect the broader human condition subject to the above observations.

I can tell you honestly that I have never had a lonely, depressed, or distressed day in my life. Hectic, yes. Oh, perhaps when I was born. That can't help but to have been a shock and somewhat of a distressing experience -- but I don't remember it. I do see some cynicism, pessimism, and angst on this site that is probably a little higher than society as a whole, but because of the above observations, that is to be expected. There have been some who have caught my attention with comments that project some degree of depression, but that's just a feeling based on what was said and has little clinical validity. Only a couple, in my experience, have given voice to their depression. Overall, I would say that my experience with this site has been one of positive attitudes tempered with realistic expectations.

I doubt seriously that lack of religion, its associated fear of damnation, the stress of needing to be like the Dead Jew on the Stick, and all the other pressures of leading the 'blessed' life would have much of a bearing on depression. I suggest that the opposite is the more likely. I also hasten to point out that it is not axiomatic that for one to participate in social media and sites like this one that he or she must be lacking in social exposure or graces elsewhere. Again, I can only use myself and those whom I know directly as examples.

It seems a large proportion of atheists here show a resentment of a religion that they feel harmed them. Is this a sort of depression? Anyway not all atheists see themselves as having been victims of religion and, hence, do not suffer such "depression."
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I'm sorry this site seems that way to you. It might be you're looking for like minded people to be depressed with. Like one post said there's no scientific proof to back up your assumption. If your looking for "like minded" you might want to try a religious site. I'm sure you'll find all the depression you're looking for.

Whoa! Hell no. I don't see that at all.

Atheism set me free. But if you need a good crutch and was upset to find out the Easter Bunny was not real it could be depressing for a time.

Just your observation is not exactly scientific is it? No, I don’t believe that atheists, either on this site or in the population at large, are more prone to depressive illness than theists. If I had to guess I would say that probably the reverse is true, but without any data to back this up it remains an assumption only.

I imagine that ostracized atheists are equivalent to ostracized LGBT persons, similarly affected by depression and suicide at a higher rate. I would also expect community like Agnostic.com to mitigate this effect.

If one had suffered from spiritual abuse previously , such as in relation to some sort of cult , one might be dealing with symptoms of depression , as a result . [rawstory.com] , [journeyfree.org] On a personal note , I myself had experienced a scrupulousity obsession , resulting in part from my religious upbringing , particularly regarding Christian perfectionism . [disorders.net] , [blogs.spiritualabuse.org] I suspect that it might seem like atheists tend to be so emotionally troubled because the most vocal atheists , or more accurately put anti-theists , are those who feel that they had been harmed by their former religion .

No, but I'll say I'm much more easily irritated by bullshit.

I don't think there's any relation between being atheist and depression. My older brother is bipolar and he's religious. Of course there will be atheists /agnostics that suffer from depression but I don't think you can relate things.

How were you able to determine this? "It seems the percentage over the total exceeds the average overall population. Do you think it’s true" And which overall population? USA? The world?

And you are mistaken... depression is biological and/or environmental.... you can be born with it, it can be caused by your envt such as experiencing abuse or going through trauma or a combination of a bad envt exacerbating a biological predisposition. One's religiosity, or lack thereof, does not cause depression. Silly question.

You know, the way I see it, depression is like a deep seeded sadness. So bad that one cannot find the light, you must be lost before you find the path home. Most religious people are just lost people. Indoctrinated at their most vulnerable. I've never been a religious man, but I have dabbled in witch craft and what not. Nowadays I feel much aware and enjoy the moment, and not looking future of my death. Now that's depressing.

I don't believe that atheists or agnostics have a higher rate of depression. I can only speak of my own experience and the dozens of people that I have discussed this with.To me when this is the only life I have, I have nothing to die for. So I spend every every minute of life making it the best it can be. To me religious people are more often depressed because when negative things happen, they wonder how God(or other deity) could do this to them.

I think social groups in general tend to attrack lonely people. Many lonely people are depressed. But to say this group has more depressed people than the general average, therefore atheists are depressed is week.

I think you're very brave. Depression has nothing to do with religion.
Sometimes it sneaks up on me. The external stresses of life.
Do you like music? Are there songs that bring good memories? I have songs that send tingles up and down my spine.
You've taken a big step in asking for help. It's early out here and the coffee hasn't kicked in.
Is it seasonal. You live way North. I read about light therapy.

I have no idea.

I am not, and never have been, clinically depressed.

I am rarely unhappy and enjoy my life. On days I experience what I consider to be negative emotions, I talk myself out of them. I focus on the positives and look forwards not backwards. It works for me.

I have always been an atheist, so cannot compare if I would have done things different if I had ever been a believer and I haven't searched to see if there is any research to compare mental health with religiosity, except that the more secular the country, the greater their societal health. The happiest nations are mostly the scandinavian countries where religiosity is lowest.

Getting beat on the head all the time about being a evil sinner....being judged every minute of every day for all the bad evil thoughts that you should feel guilty about......being taught from early childhood that you should sacrifice your life for whoever and whatever calls for it?..........being taught that you should not reason for solutions in your life, but to just "have faith" .....come on, why would that cause a person to be depressed?????

I don't see the depression here that you do. Haven't come across anyone here that seemed suicidal. I think you might be mistaking cynicism and sarcasm for depression. Personally, I am happier and more relaxed since stripping myself of theistic delusions. Religious people are actually often under a lot of pressure to be good enough, have enough faith, keep up appearances, maintain their reputation in the congregation, always interpret scripture correctly, believe the socially acceptable right things, never let any doubt show, etc. I've known a lot of fake-happy Christians who put on a happy face.

Not in my case.

One does not equal the other.
One does not follow the other.
There is no proven cause/effect relationship of which I'm aware.
Have you found any studies that show any relationship?

While some form of mysticism might make life more tolerable, I choose to accept observed and verifiable evidence ahead of dogma an pollyanish wishful thinking.

As individuals wake-up to atheism, they realize a whole new world is that reality! the depressing part for many is to realize how they have been lied to them and how many years of freedom and happiness they where taken away from them.

I would like to see if a study has been done on this. Just from observation I see it as the opposite. More theists are depressed. It may have to do with numbers though. I would really like to se percentages. And if it were true, like what was said before, I think it would point more towards community more so that a god.