Video #36 The Evolutionary Advantages of Mood Disorders

color photo of cave drawing of what looks like a prehistoric huntIn this video I talk about Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection and how it can help explain why the genes for major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are still in the gene pool. I explore five possibilities including: the positive advantages of contemplation (”positive rumination”), a more realistic sense of life, higher creative expression, higher energy (for the manic phase of bipolar disorder), and being sadder but wiser than neurotypical people.

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To watch my other videos in this series go to my ”The Power of Neurodiversity” You Tube playlist for this topic.

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I’m the author of 20 books including my latest, a novel called Childless, which you can order from Amazon.

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