/sci/ - Science & Math

http://lifehacker.com/5483797/the-evolutionary-reason-for-depression

>two evolutionary psychologists theorize that depression's purpose is enhanced mental skills.
>Several studies found an increase in brain activity (as measured indirectly by blood flow) in the VLPFC (ventrolateral prefrontal cortex which is the part of our brain that controls what we pay attention to) of depressed patients.
>The downcast mood and activation of the VLPFC are part of a "coordinated system" that, Andrews and Thomson say, exists "for the specific purpose of effectively analyzing the complex life problem that triggered the depression."
>sadness promotes "information-processing strategies best suited to dealing with more-demanding situations."

Especially this: one survey found that
>successful individuals were eight times as likely as people in the general population to suffer from major depressive illness.

So this is why intelligent people are so sad. Depression seems to be essential for the good of the mankind.

how true is this?