"If so assuming something offsets depression then not have expectations must be one of the best ways of preventing depression"
That's a slippery slope Kenneth.
If one has no expectations, then what is the point of having goals? you strive for a goal with the EXPECTATION it will lead to a better (whatever).
If nobody had goals, where would we be?
Full clinical depression is a psychiatric condition. There are MANY accounts of people who have seemingly great lives - good job, no money problems, good family, etc - then - they're "gone".
Just as with everything else in life, people are all different. Some may "laugh off" a broken relationship - others will settle into depression, or worse.
The subject is really too complex to simply say it is the result of the western worlds high expectations setting us up for a "fall".
If it were the case, what is the answer? To become a religious zealot in which your whole purpose in life is to "serve" an omnipotent (what some would call mythical) God, or Demigod?
Give me expectations and goals and the ability to make choices for myself ANY DAY thank you.
