Existentialism discussion

This might sound a bit oversimplified and confrontational. But is Existentialism as the term is often used not in its essence a description for a collection of writings by depressed people who are unable to create order in their lives and want to share the pain of the resulting desperation through its generalization?

Could you give an example?

Could you give an example to the opposite?

I never viewed Albert Camus, for example, as depressed.

Not really. The only way to consider existentialism as a form of depression is to accept that everything has a true, definite and inner meaning by itself in the first place. How can one affirm such thing with certainty?
People should understand that existentialism is very optimistic; things and situations may not hold a meaning, but it doesn't mean people can't create meaning. It's on us, that's very optimistic.

I would disagree with that characterization. Though existential writing is often 'depressing,' it is 'freeing,' in that it demonstrates that we are free to make choices, good or bad, that create the meaning (or lack thereof), in our lives. My personal opinion is that an existential outlook is empowering. As far as Camus, et al, don't know if they were depressed or not, but find the writing very refreshing. It doesn't present the reader with fairy tales, but rather the difficulties that all humans, who are honest with themselves, face.

Absolutely not. I've been diagnosed with depression (not that I agree, not everytime anyway) and only books I, generally, find depressing are romance novels and books with what I call "forced happiness". Existentialism in me wakes some kind of hope.

I thank all of you for together describing existentialism so beautifully. This thread should be recommended to anyone who wants to understand the intent of existentialism. I am humbled by the great quality of contributions. Thank you again.

Pessimism is a more "depressing" philosophy for some, though I find that liberating, as many have said of existentialism. But really I do not think existentialism is even a branch of philosophy.

Jimmy wrote: "I never viewed Albert Camus, for example, as depressed."

Camus is not a existentialist he is an absurdist!
At least respect Camus enough, to let him label himself, given that I suppose you do not place yourself above Camus.

Camus is a "heroic pessimist", though he did proclaim to be an absurdist. Absurdism seems a euphemism for the dirty word, pessimism. Both acknowledge that life is meaningless, they just tend to focus on different things that that basic premise dictates. A pessimist will say this life is meaningless, but he may not point to the absurdity of that, yet he/she might point to the absurdity of that. An absurdist, of course, is sure to point to the absurdity of that. Camus, though, said we must consider Sisyphus happy, but a staunch pessimist will not consider him happy. That is why Camus is a "heroic pessimist." In my opinion, no better than a shallow optimist.