Reader Larry Parker is always posting interesting comments. I was intrigued by the distinction he makes (with Patton Dodd) between optimism and hope, and the comparison he makes between depression and cancer. He shares on the message board of “Relapse: The Waiting Place” a letter he composed to my blogger buddy, James Bishop of “Finding Optimism.” Here are sections of Larry’s letter:

James:
With all due respect, I still profoundly disagree with you. In layman’s language, there is no difference whatsoever between “full recovery” and “cure.” And a medical professor should know this is how patients will take such words.
Would a doctor say his or her patient is “cured” of cancer? Maybe once upon a time; but certainly not today, because we know now there is such a high chance it could recur/metastasize — and has, sadly, for several relatives/friends of mine (one of whom is likely to pass before the end of the year).

With fitting irony, there is a wonderful commentary on Beliefnet today on “The Secret” and the difference between optimism and hope.
“The Secret,” IMHO, is a trip into a seemingly magic tunnel with a bright light at the end — which turns out to be an oncoming train. It says you can think your way out of any difficulty — including depression. The authors of that and other similar philosophies (“creative visualization,” “the law of attraction,” etc.) IMHO almost certainly have blood on their hands from suicides of people who thought they had finally found “the way” — only to be hit by that metaphoric train of their Black Dog fatally biting back like a Michael Vick pit bull.

Patton Dodd speaks of the difference between “optimism” and “hope.” Optimism is a mirage in this world (for anyone, not just those with depression); it says that everything in this world can go perfectly for you if you just try hard enough, which is an outright lie. Hope says there is a place for you in this world — but it may not be easy, and it may be filled with struggle. (Again, whatever your medical diagnosis or lack thereof.)
Optimism is selfish, or at least self-centered. Hope acknowledges that there are others in the struggle with you. Perhaps why Jesus and other religious teachers speak of hope — not optimism.
And back to the issue of cure — Big Pharma can’t cure us. ECT can’t cure us. Talk therapy can’t cure us. And Jesus isn’t coming back (unless Tim LaHaye is right …) to “smite our demons.” (Just an example, in case you are a non-Christian reading this.)
Now faith, self-care and medical care might well combine, as Professor Parker would be correct to say, into wellness over the short-term, and even medium-term. If the phrase “recovered for now” was used, I would have far less objection.
But with depression, it’s all so tenuous — today’s “full recovery” could be tomorrow’s hospitalization. IMHO, “the ward” — or at least one or two or three or more crippling days of being nearly bedridden — is always one glitch in one synapse away, no matter what we do …

What do you think?