[Nicks_Nose]

*This article was also posted in Current Events*

Stigmatizing depression a dangerous trend: Andrew Solomon - Health - CBC News

The Human Resources Department of my work place brags about supporting community services and yet mental health is not permitted to be discussed in the workplace or people will be disciplined for it.

[Daeva]

I can totally relate, even in my family where depression is passed through generations it's stigmatized, my own grandmother invalidates me, but goes on and on about how bad her depression is, and it's like a competition with her about who's worse off and I hate it. The thing with her though is that she likes to project and be in denial. She is all about the 'you choose how you feel' and the 'only you can make yourself happy' and 'a pbetter attitude is the cure'. However I think this just adds to her depression because she can't make herself better, and it frustrates her and ruins her self-esteem and self-worth. But she can't let go of her old-ways of thinking either. It's hard talking to someone who can't be wrong.

[Nicks_Nose]

Unfortunately, each of us is taught to manage depression by the guidelines put forth for our generation and resources made available at the time. Even after all of the research and medications that have come and gone, and recognition of it as a valid medical condition (which is quite a forward step from generations of "just pull your socks up") there is now the opposite attitude of it being an abnormality. We have gone from it being looked at as just part of life we have to deal with, put up with it, to "I have a mental abnormality and am different and should hide it." There needs to be a balance somewhere between the two attitudes.

I sympathize with you, Daeva. Although my mother listens and understands, my father still carries old attitudes grained into him by parents and churches of his childhood and times. I have to give him credit though for how much he has moved forward over the years from how he used to be. He is in his early 70s so being realistic, I cannot expect much more of him, but, I respect him for the changes he did make over the years. So much still has to be done though.

[Clara22]

Indeed. And the way society is structured causes depression, as well. That is not recognized by the ones ruling the destinies of the rest of us. They keep pushing for us to buy stuff, they call us losers if we do not "succeed" (which more or less is buying having stuff and "prestige), they establish models impossible to achieve (perfect bodies, perfect lives) and sell them through Hollywood and associated industries. Oh, and they stuff us with drugs, drugs for us, the unfit. I wish we could recognize that and resist. Depression is not only caused by our brains and / or our psychological traumas. Also it is caused or at least fueled by the way our society works, in my opinion.

[ptangptang]

Jeez. How many more stigmas can i collect. Short, fat, bald, bisexual,shy, depressed, old, unemployed er i could go on. It's getting like Pokemon. How many do i need to get the full set.?

[Webgoji]

1 in 11 people commit suicide

90% of those are due to a diagnosable disorder. Mostly depression and substance abuse.

Mental Illness Statistics

Society would rather duck and hide from the problem, but the costs, both social and financial, are almost incalculable. In my opinion, this is partially a result of our current "Me First" society, that the suffering of others is minuscule compared to how it might inconvenience ourselves.

But as my wife said two weeks ago, "It's like you're not even trying."

[NWgirl2013]

Good Article. The lines about having depression & hiding it being exhausting are so right on.
I feel I must hide any depression to keep my doctors focused on why they are seeing me: chronic pain from an injury to the head.

The thought with my latest doctor seems to be; I am depressed because I'm in pain & I'm in pain because I'm depressed, that one feeds the other & it is up to me to cheer up & break the cycle.
Okay then, I'll get right on that...