Do we have a depression illness epidemic?

[BOWHUNTER]

Depression sucks. I suffer from it at times. The stigma especially for men is terrible.

 

[Ophydian]

I'd say it's more of a constant bombardment from all sorts of media that unless you are X or Y you do not amount in the world and you should strive to get there or you are a loser. Some of the happiest people I know are the most ignorant.

 

[ndwolfwood]

I would say we've gotten too smart. We've learned too much too quickly.

Except the war room. Blissfully ignorant.

 

[Teppodama]

Imo it's because society (in the first world) has become more about mental/social problems than it has about trying to stay warm and fed. We have become more reliant on brain rather than brawn. This is why I think the obesity epidemic ties into the depression epidemic as you need the mind and body to both be healthy to function properly.

Imagine if the new hot progressive agenda was calisthenics...

 

[panamaican]

Lol. Every generation faces this challenge. It's not specific to just your kids generation. Seriously dude?

Seriously, did you read the rest of my post? Literally the next sentence (the one you conveniently didn't highlight ) says that they were weighted differently.

The threshold of success changed, not the striving itself. To repeat myself - the threshold definition of success has now moved to a plateau that fewer people will reach. Previously the threshold definition of success was more attainable. Failing to meet the threshold leads more people to be unsatisfied with their lives.

For example - if the expectation is that my kid grows up and goes to college and lands a decent job then that's a very different expectation from my kid grows up, goes to Harvard and makes 6 figures within 5 years of graduation.

There are lots of colleges so meeting that expectation is far more reasonable than getting into Harvard. A decent job is far more attainable than making 6 figures within 5 years of graduation. So, if my kid goes to U of Michigan and is making $75k by the time he's 28 then he's a success by one definition and a complete failure by the other. His self image will be affected by whether or not he sees himself as a success or a failure and his susceptibility to things like depression as well.

 

[Drenalin]

I'm depressed as fuck but I power through it. I've never taken meds or looked into a shrink. I just try to stay busy.

 

[Lord Commander Palis]

good post !

I would however be careful using the word " never "

My sister was the same way , always judgmental and dismissive of western medicine. The " oh you've got cancer , just drink this and take a little acupuncture and youll be fine" . I got lymes disease a few years back and she was even judgemental about me taking antibiotics for that . Well she developed a mass in her uterus got sick and ultimately had to have hysterectomy , miraculously She was all about the medical intervention then . Funny how easy it is to pass judgement as a healthy person. Just remember it can all change in heartbeat.

Well... as far as mental things, like depression and what not, I will never medicate. But yeah I know what you mean.

 

[luckyshot]

We, as a culture, have focused all of our resources on material advancement and nothing on valid 21st century spirituality.

We don't have economic problems in this country, we have philosophical problems.

The same can be said of medicine.

The "opioid epidemic," "obesity epidemic," and "depression epidemic" are a result of a society whose common sources of meaning have broken down and whose individuals, by and large, aren't yet up to the task of coming to terms with their existence in a meaningful way on their own.

 

[Deleted member 196663]

It's because human beings are social creatures that need family and community. That is the greatest foundation for mental stability.

We've kind of lost our way in that regard, and now we self-medicate. Anti-depressant use, getting a pet, alcohol/drug use, etc.

 

[Beechwood]

I look at it two ways. People do have a problem with depression. It is a serious illness that at times can be debilitating.

We also have a medical industry and media that more or less creates and promotes diseases. The message is that it is not possible to be healthy anymore. The standards for what is an illness and what isn't are changed in the direction of more medications.

Right or wrong is up to an individual to decide what is best.

Along those lines, I enjoyed this article on the subject.

You absolutely cannot be healthy any more – it’s official

https://drmalcolmkendrick.org/2013/12/07/you-absolutely-cannot-be-healthy-any-more-its-official/

 

[KONG-D'SNT-TAP]

I like how people didn't think depression existed 60'years ago.

Just no one knew or cared really. It's better people recognize this and help the people who are suffering from it.

 

[IDL]

We, as a culture, have focused all of our resources on material advancement and nothing on valid 21st century spirituality.

We don't have economic problems in this country, we have philosophical problems.

The same can be said of medicine.

The "opioid epidemic," "obesity epidemic," and "depression epidemic" are a result of a society whose common sources of meaning have broken down and whose individuals, by and large, aren't yet up to the task of coming to terms with their existence in a meaningful way on their own.

Yeah I think there are many symptoms of something deeper, and you are getting to the root of it moreso here.

 

[Deleted member 409801]

Well... as far as mental things, like depression and what not, I will never medicate. But yeah I know what you mean.

I got ya . I do think most mental problems can probably be overcome by lifestyle adjustments, regular strenuous excercise does wonders for ones mental state. Of course in some cases , chemical intervention might be the answer , surely in actuality it is in only fraction of cases though id imagine.

It is my position though to absolutely never speak in absolutes, and on that I positively will not compromise.

 

[ripskater]

 

[ripskater]

Have a thankful heart.
If you always think of things you're thankful for, it's a lot harder to be depressed.

 

[JonnyRingo84]

It seems all of my friends, including myself are seeing shrinks and using anti-depressants.

certain types of people tend to find each other. almost like puzzle pieces that fit together. manic people find depressed people routinely, etc etc. you go to the same places, and do the same things.

its the same reason why youll find some chicks lamenting over how shitty all guys are....theyre basing that claim off of the fact that theyve simply picked all shitty guys, because they tend to look in the same places, and pick the same types.

 

[JonnyRingo84]

Have a thankful heart.
If you always think of things you're thankful for, it's a lot harder to be depressed.

this has actually been proven.

christians, buddhists, and scientists alike all suggest it. must be something to it.

 

[JonnyRingo84]

Lol. Every generation faces this challenge. It's not specific to just your kids generation. Seriously dude?

if you look at what kids are expected to know per grade level right now, its much higher than previous gens. simultaneously you have grade inflation going on, most likely for the same reason. we have computers now so we can do things more quickly, in more places. good right? not necessarily, because now we're EXPECTED to do more things more quickly in more places. pressures of all kinds have increased.

 

[ripskater]

this has actually been proven.

christians, buddhists, and scientists alike all suggest it. must be something to it.

I know.

I take my kids to school every morning before work. I ask them in the truck every day to tell me 2 things that they are thankful for.

I think it's a great way to start the day.

 

[Jim Bob]