Utah No. 1 State for Depression... (loan, home, neighborhoods)

[lisan23]

First of all, if you don't like it here, then leave. Don't complain about it, though, and do nothing about it. You're just feeding into your negativity by staying here and complaining it.

Second of all, PEOPLE let themselves be pressured. I've recently started going back to church, I was inactive LDS for over 5 years, but I have never resented the LDS church. Granted, members of the LDS church in Utah are like no others. But still, you have to allow yourself to be controlled by those who feed into the "you need to live all the rules" people. For quite some time I've stopped caring what people think. I get a lot of flak and pressure from people. I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl, and I'm not changing that to fit into other people's standards. I don't have a ton of friends, but I don't really care. (I'm a liberal, so a lot of people here are nervous around me.)

Part of the problem is that people here just think they have to live up to these ridiculous standards - not put in place by the LDS church - but by people. I'm not a hippie, I just don't see the need to spend an hour or more in the bathroom every day making myself look like everyone else. Unfortunately too many women think they need to do this.

[anomoly]

Originally Posted by lisan23

Also, people here tend to all "look" or seem the same. I think for some their "depression" is an effort to try and be "different" from everyone else here. (I've known several people who have pulled that one.)

Not sure about that one,

but there's some interesting speculation about the issues here.
I agree that peer pressure, and high expectations are causal factors. (lisan23, you're the exception more than the rule--ignoring what others think of you)
But..."Keeping up with the Jones", pressure to be 'model families' who are "successful, attractive, helpful, and optimistic", ..aren't these traits highly valued by Mormons? So, wouldn't it be reasonable to assume there's a 'cultural' connection with depression?

Also, consider the problem with 'meth' in Utah, mostly among 'young women and mothers'. Meth can make you feel like you can 'do it all', and never get fat! You can be supermom, superwife,(at least in the beginning).

It makes sense to me there is an interaction at play, especially considering that Utah is predominantly Mormon.

About psychiatric care in 'rural states', isn't Utah considered a 'rural state'? The stats aren't limited to SLC, they are statewide.
It is true that 'more access, more diagnoses, more prescriptions'.

I think, like people have already suggested, that without other forms of self-medication, people are more likely to seek a prescription.

And, so far, 3 of you mentioned you were depressed in Utah, but didn't offer any thoughts about why.
You are ones who can give some insight.

[lisan23]

anomoly - what I meant by that statement is I know of several women who say they are depressed, hate themselves, etc. They tell EVERYONE they know and they really do it for attention. They're always talking about how they are going to kill themselves. Then when someone steps in and tries to get them help they don't take it. Suddenly they're not depressed anymore. (I honestly think that these women may be bipolar.)

Keeping up with the jones attitude is hardly Mormon. It's PEOPLE who are putting this attitude out. In fact, the LDS church recently released a statement saying it is trying to encourage members to be debt free and to wisely invest their money. If you really believe in the LDS faith, then you'd realize that what other people are doing isn't important, and you'd be living a more simple life. Unfortunately, I've noticed a lot of LDS people here only really hear what they want when the LDS church releases a statement or puts out a guideline. (I'm not a native Utahn, but I love it here, and this was something I noticed when I moved here. LDS people here only felt the need to follow the guidelines that didn't interrupt their personal life. Granted not all of them are like this, but a lot are. It was the people who made me not want to go to church. I hated being told I was going to hell because of my political opinion. Now I just laugh it off.)

[anomoly]

Originally Posted by lisan23

anomoly - what I meant by that statement is I know of several women who say they are depressed, hate themselves, etc. They tell EVERYONE they know and they really do it for attention. They're always talking about how they are going to kill themselves. Then when someone steps in and tries to get them help they don't take it. Suddenly they're not depressed anymore. (I honestly think that these women may be bipolar.)
or Borderline Personality Disorder, or Histrionic
Keeping up with the jones attitude is hardly Mormon. It's PEOPLE who are putting this attitude out. In fact, the LDS church recently released a statement saying it is trying to encourage members to be debt free and to wisely invest their money. If you really believe in the LDS faith, then you'd realize that what other people are doing isn't important, and you'd be living a more simple life. Unfortunately, I've noticed a lot of LDS people here only really hear what they want when the LDS church releases a statement or puts out a guideline. (I'm not a native Utahn, but I love it here, and this was something I noticed when I moved here. LDS people here only felt the need to follow the guidelines that didn't interrupt their personal life. Granted not all of them are like this, but a lot are. It was the people who made me not want to go to church. I hated being told I was going to hell because of my political opinion. Now I just laugh it off.)

Interesting thoughts, lisan, and others.
People have so many takes on Mormonism. My mom, like many, calls them just a 'cult', although I see her Pentacostal born-again Christianity in the same way.
And, btw, I've always been a rebel, not without a cause, and I agree, Religion (and Politics) tend to breed conformity, using fear to threaten dissenters
I'm a learnin'...

[lisan23]

I can't sleep which is why I'm posting so much.

To be honest, I think every religion has a certain portion of people who take it to a "cult" like level, however the religion itself is not a cult. The big problem is that most people have a problem separating a religion from the people who practice that religion. I really don't feel that you can accurately judge a religion based on how those who follow that religion act and behave. Which is why I don't think the LDS religion contributes much to the depression in the state. I do, however, think that there are members of the LDS religion who put a lot of pressure on other members which can cause to problems and even depression for someone. But you need to separate the two.

I have to do the same thing with my political beliefs, and people just don't get it. I live a fairly conservative life, so therefore I should be a Republican according to them. However, my choice to live a conservative life doesn't mean that I can force that same lifestyle on someone else. But most people I talk to can't understand that. Or choose not to.

[coolcats]

Let's keep this on topic with Utah. Religion only topics can be discussed in the religion forum

[DP525]

Originally Posted by coolcats

Let's keep this on topic with Utah. Religion only topics can be discussed in the religion forum

The problem is, most discussions about life in Utah cannot usually be had without mentioning religion. The LDS church is so ingrained in every aspect of Utah living that the two cannot easily be separated. I have travelled all over the US and Europe and when I mention Utah, the word "Mormons" is usually included in the response. The two are nearly synonomous.

[carlymac]

Huh, well I have lived both in Utah and out of Utah. I've been depressed in both places. But I think my depression out of Utah is really affected and made worse by separation from my family and friends (in Utah) who motivate me to do what I have to do to be happy. I'm the first to admit I'm rather dependent that way. Anyway, I have experienced harsh winters and not enough sunshine in both locations. And just for the record, I am LDS but I have met more depressed Catholics in MN than I've ever known before. I think there can be some tough pressure to live that religion, too. All the Catholics and Mormons I met in South America many years ago seemed very happy- lots of sunshine and simple lifestyle. AND they generally lived in close proximity if not right in the same household with extended family from multiple generations.

So here's my conclusion- if someone is chemically inclined to be depressed (there may be some strong genetic links for many Utahns for depression), factors like lack of sunshine and inability to get outside to exercise will make it biologically worse. The cultural factors like excessive lifestyle, image conciousness, poor money management and setting standards too high for ourselves can make the underlying biological depression harder to deal with. Cultural factors don't cause depression but can contribute greatly to how deep that depression gets. Maybe we should see it as a good thing that people in Utah are at least trying to deal with the chemical end of it with medication. But now those people on medication need to get outside working in their gardens (that good old Vitamin D and sunshine) and fixing up their homes and helping older folks or disabled fix up theirs. ( I notice every time I come back to visit Utah that there is a serious lack of pride in ownership in many areas of Utah that used to always look spiffy. It doesn't cost a dime to weed yours or somebody elses garden.) People need to get out of their own heads and do good things and form relationships of trust with their neighbors -strengthen their neighborhoods. One of my problems here in MN is the isolation that comes with winter-very depressing. I'm so looking forward to spring! I can't wait to go on long, energetic walks in the fresh air without having to worry about slipping on the ice, and to meet other happy faces along the way- at least until the heat and humidity set in- UGH!.

[DP525]

Yeah, I've definitely been down more this winter than when the weather was nice. Boredom has a lot to do with it. A busy mind is usually a happy mind, at least in my case. But alas, spring is right around the corner (isn't it?). Can't wait to get back out in the warm Utah sunshine.

[anomoly]

I've had long episodes of major depression since I was a teenager. I've been on the right meds for quite awhile, and haven't had any serious bouts for a long time. But, I guess I need to say that I've learned to do alot of things to 'manage' my life, so I agree that anyone who thinks 'just take a pill' will probably be disappointed in the results.
But, that's not my point.
I wanted to agree with the isolation of Winter. Whew! I've always dreaded the onset of winter, as soon as daylight savings time changes in Oct-Nov.
That's why I've always been a 'desert person' throughout my adult life. Can't take the cold, and I, too, am ready for Spring! My mood automatically picks up in warmer weather.
I lived in OR for a couple of years as a teen, and still go back to visit my mom, but I don't do well, with the rain, and all those trees. I lose all desire to go out.