[Clara22]

I just wanted to share this article https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...pressed-people

[qwerty68]

I have always wondered about that. When I first got diagnosed in 95, it was much easier to get to see MH professionals and now everyone seems booked up even though the number of providers have skyrocketed.

I would never tell anyone what they feel is manufactured by societal pressures or whatever but I have known people that when they hear of some new condition they never heard about before, they magically have it within a month. You also have big pharma pushing psych drugs like crazy, including giving SNRI's as pain medication which is ludicrous in my opinion. I used to be on those and they did nothing for my severe headaches.

I don't know if it is society causing it. Things have definitely changed socially and not for the better but it feels like an easy answer. Hereditary and environmental factors could easily be bigger factors than societal changes. It is a shame he had no data to back up his theories. It is truly interesting.

People who feel passion for their work and friends and love their families and partners don't become depressed as often as the population at large. People who are in touch with their spirit and enjoy a sense of community don't incline toward depression. People who maintain a sense of wonder and awe don't become depressed. Depression isn't the enemy. It's simply a warning sign that we're not on the right path. Our disconnection and folly pursuits of happiness may have much to do with this.

I feel a lot of that and yet am hopelessly depressed. That is a very dangerous and naive quote that makes assumptions that are demonstrably untrue. Depression, as with other mental illness is not simply because we took a wrong turn in life.

It is true that people who were or are abused or have suffered a loss have depression at higher rates. That doesn't explain all of us and it doesn't change anything for those poor souls. I have never been abused and have never lost anyone close to me yet here I am 20+ years of depression with zero relief and next to no chance to beat it. I was very successful, confident and happy and it came out of nowhere and hasn't relented and now I suck and am a total loser.

It is a good article for people who actually have a cause for their depression. But I found it simplistic and condescending.

Maybe the current approach isn't working and there are better solutions for everyone but this sounds like it has the potential to trigger the law of unintended consequences.

What I fear is the pendulum will swing the other way leaving many mentally ill people out in the cold. All it takes is a DSM revision and you suddenly aren't mentally ill. That isn't just my paranoia talking, the current anti-opioid push is bearing this out, lots of people in legitimate pain are being denied the drugs they need just to survive, all in the name of stopping abusers. I hope those doctors feel proud of themselves, I have read reports of people in chronic pain now have to hit the streets to get much more dangerous drugs just to survive.

I was on darvocet for 4 years straight in the late 90's, that drug is banned now because it was causing heart attacks or something and I would hate to go back to opioids. Although, I learned that I don't get addicted to things. Stopped it cold turkey without issue and was taking it 3 times a day for all those years. I take Fiorocet for my headaches which is a barbiturate and so far not on the radar for denying people prescriptions. It works great and no buzzy/fuzzy feeling like narcotics so I am happy about that.

Sorry for the long post. That article was simultaneously informative and a trigger for my nerd rage. Thanks for posting it, seriously. I like education and reading differing viewpoints.

[Clara22]

I think that society is fueling depression but it is just a factor among others. I would not call "depression" to "situational depression" as this article does but certainly depression is raising among people around the world

[little turtle]

Originally Posted by Clara22

I think that society is fueling depression but it is just a factor among others. I would not call "depression" to "situational depression" as this article does but certainly depression is raising among people around the world

this thing we call depression is really confusing to me..

[Clara22]

Originally Posted by little turtle

this thing we call depression is really confusing to me..

It does to me, too

thanks for sharing, it is an interesting article, although I don't agree with all of it either. It is a complex area, and I don't think 'depression' and it's causes are the same for everyone.

Quote:
People who feel passion for their work and friends and love their families and partners don't become depressed as often as the population at large. People who are in touch with their spirit and enjoy a sense of community don't incline toward depression. People who maintain a sense of wonder and awe don't become depressed. Depression isn't the enemy. It's simply a warning sign that we're not on the right path. Our disconnection and folly pursuits of happiness may have much to do with this.

qwerty68:I feel a lot of that and yet am hopelessly depressed. That is a very dangerous and naive quote that makes assumptions that are demonstrably untrue. Depression, as with other mental illness is not simply because we took a wrong turn in life.

This. I agree that statement is way too simplistic. I too have many supportive loving relationships in my life, they weren't a match for a stressful situation which lead to me becoming depressed - although they were very valuable in aiding my recovery (along with meds).

qwerty68: I was very successful, confident and happy and it came out of nowhere and hasn't relented and now I suck and am a total loser.

I really doubt that you are a total loser Qwerty, but depression can make us feel that way about ourselves.

Originally Posted by qwerty68

I have always wondered about that. When I first got diagnosed in 95, it was much easier to get to see MH professionals and now everyone seems booked up even though the number of providers have skyrocketed.

I would never tell anyone what they feel is manufactured by societal pressures or whatever but I have known people that when they hear of some new condition they never heard about before, they magically have it within a month. You also have big pharma pushing psych drugs like crazy, including giving SNRI's as pain medication which is ludicrous in my opinion. I used to be on those and they did nothing for my severe headaches.

I don't know if it is society causing it. Things have definitely changed socially and not for the better but it feels like an easy answer. Hereditary and environmental factors could easily be bigger factors than societal changes. It is a shame he had no data to back up his theories. It is truly interesting.

I feel a lot of that and yet am hopelessly depressed. That is a very dangerous and naive quote that makes assumptions that are demonstrably untrue. Depression, as with other mental illness is not simply because we took a wrong turn in life.

It is true that people who were or are abused or have suffered a loss have depression at higher rates. That doesn't explain all of us and it doesn't change anything for those poor souls. I have never been abused and have never lost anyone close to me yet here I am 20+ years of depression with zero relief and next to no chance to beat it. I was very successful, confident and happy and it came out of nowhere and hasn't relented and now I suck and am a total loser.

It is a good article for people who actually have a cause for their depression. But I found it simplistic and condescending.

Maybe the current approach isn't working and there are better solutions for everyone but this sounds like it has the potential to trigger the law of unintended consequences.

What I fear is the pendulum will swing the other way leaving many mentally ill people out in the cold. All it takes is a DSM revision and you suddenly aren't mentally ill. That isn't just my paranoia talking, the current anti-opioid push is bearing this out, lots of people in legitimate pain are being denied the drugs they need just to survive, all in the name of stopping abusers. I hope those doctors feel proud of themselves, I have read reports of people in chronic pain now have to hit the streets to get much more dangerous drugs just to survive.

I was on darvocet for 4 years straight in the late 90's, that drug is banned now because it was causing heart attacks or something and I would hate to go back to opioids. Although, I learned that I don't get addicted to things. Stopped it cold turkey without issue and was taking it 3 times a day for all those years. I take Fiorocet for my headaches which is a barbiturate and so far not on the radar for denying people prescriptions. It works great and no buzzy/fuzzy feeling like narcotics so I am happy about that.

Sorry for the long post. That article was simultaneously informative and a trigger for my nerd rage. Thanks for posting it, seriously. I like education and reading differing viewpoints.

QUOTE: People who feel passion for their work and friends and love their families and partners don't become depressed as often as the population at large. People who are in touch with their spirit and enjoy a sense of community don't incline toward depression. People who maintain a sense of wonder and awe don't become depressed. Depression isn't the enemy. It's simply a warning sign that we're not on the right path. Our disconnection and folly pursuits of happiness may have much to do with this.

Gee sounds like a Christian wrote this article. Depressed people must be living in sin or not in a proper walk with God ergo; they're depressed. Get right with your 'spirit' or the spirit of God.

How many people actually feel a passion for their work? Got a customer service, sales, restaurant or other mundane job? Get passionate about it! Wake up one morning and lo and behold I love my job! Forget the fact it's no where near my abilities. Having a loving family sure does help keep one on an even keel but, how many family members are loved unconditionally? Obey me, get a good paying job, get married & raise kids, don't sin or do something a family member disapproves of. How many families love unconditionally their members? Having a sense of community? What a hoot! Volunteer once a week and all your depression goes away. What about the community outside one's self? They don't seem to be interested in those around them. All around me people willfully segregate themselves. When I reach out all I get is deceit. Think your intelligent? Bring yourself down to other's level and people will like you. Use vulgarity. Enjoy the TV and the latest movie or fad! My parents accused me of having a vast vocabulary so I could feel better than others! Unconditional love! Lots of peeps on PC are very much in tune with the world around them. Crikey, read all the articles on anxiety and depression. They back my claim up! Folly pursuits of happiness, what a jolly joke. Who here reading this post are pursuing happiness foolishly?

That article is a demand that those with depression and/or anxiety to give it up and CONFORM!. The therapists and shrinks along with the cultural community set the trends and we better follow or we are on the 'wrong path'. If you're depressed your life is a folly. Conform or we'll pump you full of SSRI's or SNRI's and make you happy! Hell, it works for the millions of kids on what amounts to amphetamines! (No disrespect to those with ADHD as I know it's a real difficulty).

The author of the article has a lot of nerve stating that "those lacking a sense of wonder and awe" are depressed. Huh? What the heck does that mean. As for me personally, I am in wonder and awe of the sounds of the wind rustling thru a forest, the sound of a babbling brook skipping across the rocks, the vastness of the heavens, the majesty of a towering mountain reaching for the sky, the glowing moon of the harvest, the mysteries of the deep, the glistening dew on the morning grass, the graceful leap of a cat, the curiosity of a new born babe, the unity and order of Mozart's music, the deep emotions of a Picasso or Monet, the words of love expressed in poetry and all the other beauty which surrounds us.

I don't know about you qwerty but I'm not going to let some psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist tell me how to think or behave. I've seen, read and heard too much to be told to CONFORM.

Sorry for the rant folks. It's not directed to any person on PC. Listen to YOUR heart not the trend setters and conformists. Regards, M Poirot

[Fuzzybear]

[Clara22]

Originally Posted by Herculepoirot

QUOTE: People who feel passion for their work and friends and love their families and partners don't become depressed as often as the population at large. People who are in touch with their spirit and enjoy a sense of community don't incline toward depression. People who maintain a sense of wonder and awe don't become depressed. Depression isn't the enemy. It's simply a warning sign that we're not on the right path. Our disconnection and folly pursuits of happiness may have much to do with this.

Gee sounds like a Christian wrote this article. Depressed people must be living in sin or not in a proper walk with God ergo; they're depressed. Get right with your 'spirit' or the spirit of God.

How many people actually feel a passion for their work? Got a customer service, sales, restaurant or other mundane job? Get passionate about it! Wake up one morning and lo and behold I love my job! Forget the fact it's no where near my abilities. Having a loving family sure does help keep one on an even keel but, how many family members are loved under CERTAIN conditions. Obey me, get a good paying job, get married & raise kids, don't sin or do something a family member disapproves of. How many families love unconditionally their members? Having a sense of community? What a hoot! Volunteer once a week and all your depression goes away. What about the community outside one's self? They don't seem to be interested in those around them.

I agree with you. Yet I think society is fueling depression because on one hand it promotes a style of life unachievable for many and, on the other hand, submits us to live alienated lives

[ScientiaOmnisEst]

It's an interesting idea: though, a couple things:

I think depression is overdiagnosed; you do not need meds to get through the grieving process, or to cope with a new job or school. There's definitely a confusion between situational and clinical depression.

Where's the line between those two, though? People have been saying my depression is situational for years: first it was hormones, then all the school-switching, then "emotional abuse", then an "adjustment disorder". It's been almost half my life with a melancholic baseline and being easily sent into phases of being utterly miserable. It gets worse with age: is it dysthymia or do I just lead a depressing life?

Originally Posted by Clara22

I agree with you. Yet I think society is fueling depression because on one hand it promotes a style of life unachievable for many and, on the other hand, submits us to live alienated lives

You're right Clara. That's why I prefer to follow my heart. To seek out knowledge and wisdom and the deeper things of life. I'm stuck in the world I created through 59 years of living. I made many errors in judgment and now I'm paying the price. Sadly though, those who had the most influence over time did nothing but reinforce my own self loathing and frustration. Those are the people I'm supposed to be like! Just like that article. It is always someone else who determines what is normal or what is depression.

If I had my druthers, I'd wander the land earning enough to feed myself and provide shelter from the cold and rain. What a wonder it would be to meet people of the land with great tales of exploration and wisdom. People who don't expect anything from me but an ear to listen and a smile to brighten their day.

You said: People have been saying my depression is situational for years

Other people are defining what the cause of your depression is. They seem to be leaving you out of it. Don't let them do this! Keep a log. Spend a bit of time each day meditating on your experiences. Read all opinions on depression/anxiety. You already spend time on PC so put the comments here into your perspective. How has your past effected you? Who had the most influence on your life? There may be common threads to explain some of the depression.

I read a lot on politics and geo-politics. Thru this interest I realized that my Christian upbringing was horribly lacking; there was something wrong. From there I discovered the approach my family took in rearing me and lo and behold patterns appeared. It brought into perspective what was the cause of much of my self loathing, insecurity, anxiety and depression. Sure I have to take responsibility for making poor decisions but, let's be clear about this; how one's mind is shaped during the formative years has a profound effect on you as an adult. This is compounded when those that shaped you continue to feed you their poison even when your in middle age. It's not easy uprooting an old oak!

I have no clue as to where I should go from here. At 59 I see NO future. Pursue a career? In what, customer service? Borrow thousands of dollars for school and graduate at 65? It's too late for love. Who wants a middle-aged man with no future or prospects? If you are much younger than I look into yourself and discover the roots of your depression. Read, research, listen to as much as possible, not just what the 'professionals' say either. If you can begin carving out and filing away the negative stuff foisted on you by anyone then do it. Depressed folks have some hidden gifts if they can only find it. Some of the world's greatest achievers from the arts to the sciences did magnificent things and they still suffered with depression. Do it now while you're still young.

As for me. Well, I use Xanax for sedation and Ambien for sleep. It's the only way to get thru each day because each day a little more of me disappears.

[Clara22]

Sometimes I think that like humanity trying to understand the world before knowing the earth was round, scientists know little about the brain and fill the gaps with theories that are not accurate at all.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth
Work In Progress - How Much Do We Really Know About The Brain? | Inside The Teenage Brain | FRONTLINE | PBS

[qwerty68]

Herculepoirot

Thanks for that. That was very articulate and insightful.

Back before I sucked, I was in the military and was very successful without conforming to what is a rigid culture. It kind of amazes me that I did well in an environment I never was really a part of.

Maybe that is the wrong turn that I made.

I think that there may be "pre-depression" signs that people often miss or ignore, which can make things much worse. In retrospect, I think I did that and completely ignored the warning signs, but I was still quite young and still had that feeling of invincibility, despite getting smacked upside the head with epilepsy. But that is different than not being 100% obedient to a shrink or making a wrong turn in life.

[qwerty68]

Originally Posted by Clara22

Sometimes I think that like humanity trying to understand the world before knowing the earth was round, scientists know little about the brain and fill the gaps with theories that are not accurate at all.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth
Work In Progress - How Much Do We Really Know About The Brain? | Inside The Teenage Brain | FRONTLINE | PBS

We are definitely in the dark ages in regard to neurology and psychiatry, despite the massive advances, it is still such a mystery.

Maybe in the not so distant future enough will be known that fixing MH and neuro issues will be as easy to cure as many things that killed or crippled people 100+ years ago.