Were are so many people always so anxious/depressed? (anxiety, problems, emotion)

[frimpter928]

For those of you who have been around for a while, have you noticed than in today's world that depression and anxiety is so common? I look at my current situation:

My mother is depressed and anxious. Four of my best friends are dealing with anxiety and depression. I can continue on with how many more people I know in that situation. It just seems like it's grown so much in some of the last few years.

It seems like so many people nowadays need validation, have very low self esteem, are insecure or overworked. Part of it makes me sad to see this, and I try to help as I can, but it just feels as if a lot of people are suffering now. I am 33 and 10 years ago, I felt like things were different and people weren't like this.

What gives? I wonder if this is how it's always been and I am just noticing now, or if we really have seen in the past decade an increase in depression and anxiety?

[greatblueheron]

Mental illness has finally left the stigmas behind and people are now feeling comfortable in society discussing this....doubt there are more overall, just more speaking up...and getting help.

Plus, medical professionals are identifying these problems earlier now....they've been taught to focus on checking for depression at Dr. appointments.

[IntoSomething]

I think the way we are all connected through the internet allows all sorts of formerly taboo topics of discussion come to light. It flows outside of the digital realm, making these things more acceptable to talk about person to person, with less stigma.

Also (and this has to do with our connectedness as well), we are now hyper aware of instant and public judgement. It’s nerve wracking, for sure.

[Gohangr]

Understanding and support is what these people need.

The problem is that if they are in a constant state of sadness or anxiety it's difficult to change quickly.
I think it's always been there but now we just notice it more. People have started to express their emotions more.

[nobodysbusiness]

Disagree with those who say there are not more people claiming this problem today.

There are probably a myriad of factors contributing:

* Life is hard. Some people have a problem accepting this.

* Living in the present moment means you have to accept everything that is happening, and again, many people have a problem doing this (anxiety is living in the future - not accepting what is happening. Depression is being resentful about your life circumstances (note that most people who claim to be depressed have a palpable anger/resentment).

* Many people feel entitled and when they can't get their way switch to "victim" - victims are never responsible for themselves - they claim that they have a "chemical imbalance" (this has been disproven in the literature, but the big pharma marketing was so good that the masses still believe this lie that was created to create a market for anti-depressants (which often don't work or have black box warnings, etc.)

* There are a ton of natural remedies for whatever ails you, but some people are too indoctrinated by mainstream culture to even consider doing a google search and trying x, y, or z).
* etc., etc.

[JrzDefector]

I think visibility is greater, but also I think we are not evolved to live in the society we currently live in. We are wired for a more pastoral way of life. We have way more structure, get way less exercise and eat a ton more sugar than we ever would have done 1,000 years ago. We worry about things that our ancestors never even thought of.

[nobodysbusiness]

Originally Posted by JrzDefector

I think visibility is greater, but also I think we are not evolved to live in the society we currently live in. We are wired for a more pastoral way of life. We have way more structure, get way less exercise and eat a ton more sugar than we ever would have done 1,000 years ago. We worry about things that our ancestors never even thought of.

Yes, but think about what it took to live in the world in days gone by.

We (Western civilization) are spoiled (most of us). And most wouldn't even be able to survive without creature comforts (I'm one of them).

How many people would last in wars, as pioneers, in extreme poverty, in unknown circumstances (immigrants who have come to this country with nothing), etc.

[HappyFarm34]

Lack of nature and the decrease of natural surroundings due to developments of businesses and housing. I know not everyone enjoys nature, for me it brings a sense of peace and tranquillity.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by greatblueheron

Mental illness has finally left the stigmas behind and people are now feeling comfortable in society discussing this....doubt there are more overall, just more speaking up...and getting help.

Plus, medical professionals are identifying these problems earlier now....they've been taught to focus on checking for depression at Dr. appointments.

Exactly. Depression was invented in 1986, the same year prozac was invented. Before that, I never heard the word mentioned. After they had a nifty new drug, it was everywhere.

In the '70s, if you couldn't sleep or drag yourself out of bed to go to work, you were a bum. It was a moral failing, not a medical problem.

[Crazy-Cat-Lady]

Loneliness is more of a problem now than it's ever been technology has both increased our awareness but has is so made it harder to connect in the outside world